[vivekrai]

I read that alkanes can be readily isomerised by heating them in presence of platinum Catalysts. How can we explain the nature of the isomerisations. I mean, many isomers are possible. So Do we know which is the major or minor one?

Suggest any articles/text enlightening the same or any other methods/ideas ?

[Doc Oc]

What do they isomerize to?  What functional groups are on them?  You can't just add platinum to butane and magically get decalin out.

[AWK]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkane
http://144.206.159.178/ft/151/597975/14428889.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_reforming

[vivekrai]

What do they isomerize to?  What functional groups are on them?  You can't just add platinum to butane and magically get decalin out.

Of course not decalin. But It is somewhat like unbranched converting to more branched.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkane
http://144.206.159.178/ft/151/597975/14428889.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_reforming

Thanks! I'll have a look at it.