Cracking Behavior of Zeolites with Connected 12- and 10-Member Ring Channels: The Influence of Pore Structure on Product Distribution

n-Heptane has been cracked on a CIT-1 zeolite which has connected 12- and 10-member ring (MR) channels, and its behavior was compared with that of MCM-22 with nonconnected 12- and 10-MR channels, and SSZ-24 and BETA with unidirectional and tridirectional 12-MR channels, respectively. The kinetic rate constant is highest for CIT-1, and the decay constant is lowest. From the selectivity point of view, its behavior can be better represented by a system with large cavities (the intersections between the 12- and 10-MR) connected by windows. This gives a behavior typical of that of large pore zeolites. CIT-1 produces a remarkably high selectivity toi-C4, and specially to isobutane. This zeolite shows promise as an additive in FCC operations.