The mechanism of 1,2-bond shift rearrangements of paraffins on transition metal surfaces

Abstract

Isomerization of protoadamantane to adamantane and of bicyclo[2.2.2]octane to bicyclo[3.2.1]octane occurs on reduced molybdenum powder or on reduced molybdena/alumina catalysts in excess of hydrogen at 275°C; an olefin metathesis-type mechanism is precluded by the structures of these caged compounds, so simple bond shift in alkyl radicals on transition metal surfaces seems to be a generally valid reaction pathway in heterogeneous conversions of paraffins.