The catalytic activity of MoO3-ZrO2 and Pt/MoO3-ZrO2 has been assessed based on the C-5-C-7 linear alkane hydroisomerization in a microcatalytic pulse reactor at 323-623 K. The introduction of Pt altered the crystallinity and acidity of MoO3-ZrO2. The catalytic activity of Pt/MoO3-ZrO2 was inferior than that of MoO3-ZrO2, although the Pt/MoO3-ZrO2 performed higher hydrogen uptake capacity. IR and ESR studies confirmed the heating of MoO3-ZrO2 in the presence of hydrogen formed active protonic acid sites and electrons which led to change in the Mo oxidation state. Similar phenomenon was observed for Pt/MoO3-ZrO2 at <= 323 K. Contrarily, heating of Pt/MoO3-ZrO2 in the presence of hydrogen at higher temperature did not form protonic acid sites but intensified Lewis acidic sites. It is suggested that Pt facilitates in the interaction of spiltover hydrogen atom and MoO3 to form MoO2 or Mo2O5 over ZrO2 support which may be intensified the Lewis acidic sites. (c) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.