The heterogeneous catalyst consisting of [1,2-bis(salicylidene amino)-phenylene]-zirconium complex chemically bound on modified carbamate silica gel was synthesised and the reforming of n-hexane was studied in a rocking type batch reactor system. The isomerization and cyclization of n-hexane occurs in presence of this catalyst at low temperatures (120-190degreesC) with high conversion (72%) in an atmosphere of nitrogen. The analysis of the reaction products suggests the occurrence of isomerization (forming 2-methylpentane (2-MP) and 3-methylpentane (3-MP)) and cyclization (forming methyl cyclopentane (MCP) and cyclohexane (CH)). There is no formation of dibranched isomers and of aromatization reaction (forming benzene and toluene), dehydrogenation reactions (forming alkenes) and cracking reactions (forming C-1-C-5 compounds). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.