Reactions of n-pentane and n-heptane on Raney nickel at room temperature in the presence of adsorbed tritium

The reactions of n-pentane and n-heptane on Raney nickel in the presence of adsorbed tritium at 20° have been studied. Exchange of hydrogen atoms of both n-pentane and n-heptane occur rapidly at this temperature. Isomerisation of n-heptane occurs at very low conversions and the isomerisation reaction is thought to occur through a 1,2-diadsorbed ethylcyclopentene intermediate. Isomerisation of n-pentane occurs less readily than that of n-heptane.