Radiotracer study of alkane homologation over platinum black

Abstract

Homologation over platinum black has been studied by a radiotracer method. The results are in agreement with the mechanism involving carbene addition to open-chain surface species. Radioactivity values prove that carbenes originate from deep fragmentation of the parent alkane. The side methyl group of 3-methylpentane participates to a lesser extent in carbene formation. Benzene alkylation (if it occurs at all) is only of minor importance in toluene formation.