Synthesis of adamantane by hydrogenation and isomerization of dicyclopentadiene

The synthesis of tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (endo-TCD) through continuous catalytic hydrogenation from dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) has been studied, and the Ni/gamma -Al2O3 catalyst has been developed. Under the reaction condit ions of w (DCPD) = 20%similar to 30% in hexane solution, SV = 20 similar to 30 h(-1), p(H-2) = 1.0 MPa and theta = 150 similar to 160 degreesC, DCPD c onversion is more than 98% and endo-TCD yield reaches 94%. The experimental results for synthesis of adamantane by catalytic isomerization of endo-TCD using different synthetic zeolites show that only Y-type zeolite with acid centers is fit for synthesizing adamantane. Effect of modification of the Y-type zeolite catalyst on the isomerization of endo-TCD has also been stud ied. The higher adamantane yield of 27.7% has been obtained by using 0.8% P t-0.2% Re-3% Co/ReUSY under the conditions of n (cat)/n (reactant) = 0.25, p(H-2)=1.1 MPa, theta =250 degreesC and t=3 h.