Hydroisomerization typically employs bifunctional catalysts, which possess both metallic and acidic sites. The metallic sites, often comprising noble metals like platinum or palladium, facilitate the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. The acidic sites, usually provided by materials such as zeolites or sulfated zirconia, assist in the rearrangement of the hydrocarbon skeleton. The synergy between these two types of sites is critical for the efficient conversion of linear hydrocarbons to branched isomers.
