Hydrocracking processes using a homogenous catalysis system comprising a metal halide Lewis acid, a Bronsted acid and an alkane

A method of hydrocracking a high molecular weight hydrocarbon feedstock into lower molecular weight components comprising the steps of:

• (1) forming a catalyst complex comprising the product of reaction of
• (a) a Lewis acid of the formula R.sub.(m-2-z) MX.sub.2+z wherein M is aluminum or boron, X is a halide, R is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, "m" is an integer equal to the greatest oxidation state of M, and "z" is an integer of 0, 1 or m-2;
• (c) a hydrogen halide which upon addition to the solution forms a catalyst complex;
• (b) a paraffinic hydrocarbon having from about six to about fourteen carbon atoms, said paraffinic hydrocarbon being in an amount sufficient to form a solution with the Lewis acid;
• and
• (2) adding an amount of said paraffinic hydrocarbon sufficient to solubilize said catalyst complex to thereby form a catalysis system wherein the concentration of catalyst complex is maintained between from about 5.0 to about 50 millimoles of Lewis acid per 1,000 grams of said non-complexed paraffin hydrocarbon;
• (3) adding hydrogen and the feedstock to the catalysis system while maintaining the catalysis system at a temperature such that the catalyst complex does not precipitate for a time sufficient in order for hydrocracking to occur in a homogeneous solution of the feedstock and catalysis system;
• and
• (4) separating the lower molecular weight components of the hydrocracked product from the catalyst complex.