Endothermic reactions of methylcyclohexane (MCH) with zeolites were investigated in a batch reactor to increase the heats of reaction. Conversion and product distribution affected the heat of reaction. The heat of reaction with HZSM-5, which led to the formation of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbon products, was larger than the heats of reaction with other zeolites. To improve the heat of reaction with HZSM-5, Pt/HZSM-5 (1 wt.% Pt) was used in endothermic reactions. In endothermic reactions with Pt/HZSM-5, the heats of reaction increased, and there was a high yield of olefins, which were formed by dehydrogenation of paraffin on metal sites. A high conversion and high yield of low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons and olefins led to an increase in the heat of reaction. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V.