Mn-containing AlPO-11 and SAPO-11 catalysts for simultaneous isomerization and dehydrogenation of n-butane

MnAPO-11 and MnAPSO-11 were synthesized hydrothermally, and supported Mn-AlPO-11 and Mn-SAPO-11 were also prepared for comparison. Characterization results showed that there were differences in acidity and reducibility caused by the different incorporation methods of manganese. The manganese species in the samples also weakened the metallic properties of the palladium particles when the latter was added into the catalysts. Catalytic testing results for dehydroisomerization of n-butane indicated that incorporation of manganese increased the selectivity toward isomerization products. The highest isobutene selectivity (34.86%) could be obtained over a Pd/MnAPO-11 catalyst. When a combined catalyst system containing Pd/SAPO-11 and MnAPSO-11 was used in a single bed of two layers, the isobutene selectivity could be greatly improved, as compared to the single catalyst alone.