Catalytic selective ring opening of methylcyclopentane in the presence of CO2

Simple and highly efficient approach for the utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) in selective ring opening (SRO) of methylcyclopentane (MCP) over 0.9 wt.% Ir/USY catalyst is described. Ring opening products such as n-hexane, 2-MP and 3-MP were formed during the SRO of MCP in the presence of CO2. The influence of CO2 pressure on the total conversion and ring opening (RO) product selectivity was examined, which highlights the great potential of CO2 utilization in petroleum industry for SRO process.