Effect of metal–acid balance and textual modifications on hydroisomerization catalysts for n-alkanes with different chain length: A mini-review

•Hydroisomerization of short and long chain n-alkanes are compared and reviewed.•Mechanism of hydroisomerization and side reaction was detailly introduced.•Diffusion plays an important role in the hydroisomerization of long chain n-alkanes.•Emerging problems in hydroisomerization was discussed.