Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. Those reaction sites may have multiple bromine atoms bound to an aluminum atom with that aluminum-bromine group having an associated hydrogen ion. Additional structural features of the reaction sites are dictated by the aluminum oxide based catalysts and a silicon oxide based catalyst selected.

Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. The reaction sites may be according to the general formula M.sub.xO.sub.yAlBr.sub.zX].sup.H.sup.+ where x is one or two; y is one or two; z is one or two; X is selected from Br or Cl; M is Al or Si and one or more of M, O and Al has a molecular bond with the metal oxide support structure.

Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. The reaction sites may be according to the general formula M.sub.xO.sub.yAlBr.sub.zX].sup.H.sup.+ where x is one or two; y is one or two; z is one or two; X is selected from Br or Cl; M is Al or Si and one or more of M, O and Al has a molecular bond with the metal oxide support structure.

Disclosed herein are processes for producing neopentane. The processes generally relate to demethylating neohexane and/or neoheptane to produce neopentane. The neohexane and/or neoheptane may be provided by the isomerization of C.sub.6-C.sub.7 paraffins.

Disclosed herein are processes for producing neopentane. The processes generally relate to demethylating neohexane and/or neoheptane to produce neopentane. The neohexane and/or neoheptane may be provided by the isomerization of C.sub.6-C.sub.7 paraffins.

Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C.sub.7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C.sub.7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C.sub.5 and C.sub.6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C.sub.7+ normal paraffins. Methods for isomerizing normal paraffins may comprise: providing a feed mixture comprising at least C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins and lacking normal paraffins larger than C.sub.8; and contacting the feed mixture with a bifunctional mixed metal oxide catalyst under isomerization reaction conditions effective to form a product mixture comprising one or more branched paraffins formed from each of the C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins.

Isomerization of normal paraffins to form branched paraffins may be complicated by significant cracking of C.sub.7+ paraffins under isomerization reaction conditions. This issue may complicate upgrading of hydrocarbon feeds having significant quantities of heavier normal paraffins. Cracking selectivity may be decreased by combining one or more naphthenic compounds with a feed mixture comprising at least one C.sub.7+ normal paraffin and/or by utilizing tungstated zirconium catalysts having decreased tungsten loading. Further, C.sub.5 and C.sub.6 normal paraffins may undergo isomerization in the presence of C.sub.7+ normal paraffins. Methods for isomerizing normal paraffins may comprise: providing a feed mixture comprising at least C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins and lacking normal paraffins larger than C.sub.8; and contacting the feed mixture with a bifunctional mixed metal oxide catalyst under isomerization reaction conditions effective to form a product mixture comprising one or more branched paraffins formed from each of the C.sub.5-C.sub.7 normal paraffins.

Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. The reaction sites may be according to the general formula M.sub.xO.sub.yAlBr.sub.zX].sup.H.sup.+ where x is one or two; y is one or two; z is one or two; X is selected from Br or Cl; M is Al or Si and one or more of M, O and Al has a molecular bond with the metal oxide support structure.

Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. The reaction sites may be according to the general formula M.sub.xO.sub.yAlBr.sub.zX].sup.H.sup.+ where x is one or two; y is one or two; z is one or two; X is selected from Br or Cl; M is Al or Si and one or more of M, O and Al has a molecular bond with the metal oxide support structure.