The catalytic reforming process consists of a number of reactions which take place on Afunctional catalysts for converting the hydrocarbons contained in naphtha fractions to monocyclic aromatics.

Naphthenes with six carbon atom rings are subjected to dehydrogenation. Naphthenes with five carbon atom rings are subjected to isomerization followed by dehydrogenation, usually called dehydroisomerization. The alkanes go through cyclization followed by dehydrogenation, usually called dehydrocyclization. Simultaneously, the hydrocarbons and especially the alkanes undergo parallel, com­ peting reactions of isomerization and hydrocracking with conversions sometimes comparable to the reactions producing aromatics.