FREE-RADICALS FORMED IN THE ADSORPTION OF SATURATED-HYDROCARBONS ON H-MORDENITE

It is shown that the adsorption of tert-hydrogen-containing molecules such as methylcyclohexane and 3-methylpentane on H-mordenite containin g strong Lewis sites leads to the formation of a free radical at moder ate temperature (less-than-or-equal-to 100-degrees-C). The radical is stable up to about 160-degrees-C. Above 160-degrees C it can be transf ormed into a carbenium ion, which has been considered as an essential intermediate in the cracking of saturated hydrocarbons. This process m ay be initiated by Lewis acid sites.