A series of Pt-catalysts were prepared by impregnation of carbon aerogels. The supports were selected on the
basis of a different porous texture. The dispersion and sintering resistance of the catalyst were evaluated by
varying the Pt-loading and the pre-treatment conditions. XRD, XPS, HRTEM and H 2 -chemisorption were used
to determine the nature and dispersion of Pt-particles. The behavior of these catalysts on the n-hexane con-
version was analyzed in different experimental conditions. The performance of catalysts was related to their
porous, chemical and dispersion characteristics of the samples. Monofunctional catalysts were obtained in all
cases. Isomerisation and cracking take place on the same active sites whereas the aromatization requires dif-
ferent sites. The selectivities for isomerization and hydrogenolysis change with the advance of the reaction
while that for aromatization remains constant. Deactivation is related with the loss of the active sites respon-
sible for the hydrogenolysis reactions.