Abstract: A WC-supported S₂O₈^2-(PSZ) catalyst was prepared and characterized by means of XRD, BET, FTIR and XPS. The isomerization of n-pentane over the catalyst was investigated as well. The results show that the skeletal isomerization and the crack of n-pentane proceed simultaneously on WC-supported S₂O₈^2-/ZrO₂ catalyst. The addition of tungsten carbide showed a significant enhancement in the activity and stability of the catalyst for n-pentane isomerization. The catalyst showed evidently a better activity than S₂O₈^2-/ZrO₂ supported by Pt and WO₃. The results can be interpreted by the existence of the tungsten oxycarbide compound(WC_xO_y) with carbidic, oxide and acidic sites.

Key words: n-Pentane, Isomerization, S₂O₈^2-/ZrO₂, Tungsten carbide