Pg. Menon et Z. Paal, SOME ASPECTS OF THE MECHANISMS OF CATALYTIC REFORMING REACTIONS, Industrial & engineering chemistry research, 36(8), 1997, pp. 3282-3291
A brief review is given of the evolution of our ideas on the mechanism
of catalytic reforming reactions over the last 40 years. The early bi
functional reaction mechanism, though criticized much, led first to an
understanding and optimization of the reforming process and later to
several other catalyst and process innovations. Kinetic and tracer stu
dies on model catalysts using single hydrocarbons as reactants and the
surface-science approach revealed the finer nuances of the mechanism
involved. Simultaneously, the roles of S, Cl, coke, and hydrogen and o
f a second metal component like Re, Ir, or Sn in the industrial cataly
st were also understood to a greater or lesser extent. All these resul
ts make the mechanism of reforming reactions a field of fascinating co
mplexity in fundamental and industrial catalysis.