The effects of hydrogen pressure and temperature on the methylcyclopentaneconversion on Rh catalysts

The effect of hydrogen pressure (pH(2)) and temperature (T) was investigate d on the hydrogenolytic ring opening of methyl-cyclopentane (MCP) over sili ca and alumina supported rhodium catalysts. Strong dependence could be seen in the activity and in distribution of ring opening products as a function of reaction conditions. Temperature and hydrogen pressure did not affect t he position of the first C-C bond rupture. However, the final ring opening product distribution was largely influenced by the reaction conditions due to the different ability of intermediates to undergo further hydrogenolysis . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.