Ag-ZSM-5 as a Catalyst for Aromatization of Alkanes, Alkenes, and Methanol

Ag-HZSM-5 is an active catalyst for the aromatization of alkanes. In the case of isobutane, the selectivity for aromatic hydrocarbons was 60% at the isobutane conversion of 68% at 773 K. Ag-ZSM-5 is characterized by the low selectivity for methane and ethane compared with Ga-ZSM-5 or Zn-ZSM-5. The analysis of the primary products revealed that Ag-ZSM-5 sharply enhances the C-H bond cleavage of the starting alkanes. On the other hand, both C-H and C-C bond cleavage are enhanced over Ga-ZSM-5 and Zn-ZSM-5. Ag-ZSM-5 is also a selective catalyst for aromatization of alkenes and methanol.