Effects of zeolite structure and aluminum content on thiophene adsorption, desorption, and surface reactions

The adsorption and desorption of thiophene and the reactions of thiophene-derived adsorbed species in He, H₂, and O₂ were examined on H-ZSM5, H-Beta, and H-Y with varying Si/Al ratios. Thiophene adsorption uptakes (per Al) were independent of Al content, but were above unity and influenced by zeolite structure (1.7, 2.2, and 2.9 on H-ZSM5, H-Beta, and H-Y). These data indicate that thiophene oligomers form during adsorption and that their size depends on spatial constraints within zeolite channels. Adsorption and oligomerization occur on Brønsted acid sites at 363 K. Thiophene/toluene adsorption from their mixtures show significant thiophene selectivity ratios (10.3, 7.9, and 6.4, for H-ZSM5, H-Beta, and H-Y zeolites), which exceed those expected from van der Waals interactions and reflect specific interactions with Brønsted acid sites and formation of toluene–thiophene reaction products. Treatment of thiophene-derived adsorbed species above 363 K in He or H₂ led to depolymerization of thiophene oligomers and to the formation of unsaturated adsorbed species with a 1:1 thiophene/Al stoichiometry on all zeolites and at all Si/Al ratios. These unsaturated species desorb as stable molecules, such as H₂S, hydrocarbons, and larger organosulfur compounds, formed via ring opening and hydrogen transfer from H₂ or co-adsorbed species, and also form stranded unsaturated organic deposits. Smaller channels and higher Al contents preferentially formed H₂S, benzotiophenes, and arene products during treatment in He or H₂, as a result of diffusion-enhanced of secondary reactions of desorbed thiophene molecules with adsorbed thiophene-derived species. Only oxidative regeneration treatments led to full recovery of thiophene uptake capacities. A preceding treatment in H₂, however, led to the partial recovery of thiophene-derived carbon atoms as useful hydrocarbons and decreased the amount of CO₂ and SO₂ formed during subsequent oxidative treatments required for regeneration.     

Gold compounds as efficient co-catalysts in palladium-catalysed alkynylation

A series of inorganic and organometallic compounds of gold [AuCl(tht)], [Au(C₆F₅)(tht)] and Na[AuCl₄] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) are shown to efficiently co-catalyze the Sonogashira-type cross-coupling reaction of phenylacetylene with aryl halides in THF solution. [AuCl(tppts)] (tppts = trisodium salt of tris(m-sulfonatophenyl)phosphine) co-catalyzes the same reaction in biphasic aqueous systems. Gold compounds are thus revealed as efficient transmetalation catalysts to palladium.     

Transformation of thiophene, benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene over Pt/HMFI, Pt/HMOR and Pt/HFAU: Effect of reactant molecular dimensions and zeolite pore diameter over catalyst activity

Pt-based catalysts were prepared by ionic exchange over three zeolites with different pore sizes, HMFI, HMOR and HFAU. With them, the effect of zeolite pore size over the transformation of sulfur containing compounds with different molecular dimensions, such as: thiophene (T), benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) was analyzed. For the Pt-containing catalysts, reaction data reveal changes in the overall conversion of T, BT and DBT with zeolite pore size (Pt/HMFI < Pt/HMOR < Pt/HFAU). Hydrogenated sulfur compounds such as tetrahydrothiophene (THT), dihydrobenzothiophene (DHBT) were detected in high yields, being Pt/HMOR the more active catalyst, indicating that hydrogenation took place on some metallic Pt clusters that remained un-poisoned by the sulfur molecule. Moreover, the yields of THT, DHBT and tetrahydrodibenzothiophene (THDBT) remain stable with time on stream, indicating that poisoning by H₂S and/or the sulfur compound was not enough to inhibit completely the hydrogenating function of the metal and that at least a fraction of Pt⁰ was protected by the zeolite from sulfur poisoning.     

Hydrodenitrogenation of pyridine over alumina-supported iridium catalysts

The catalytic properties of alumina-supported Ir catalysts (≈1 wt% Ir) were studied in the hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of pyridine at 320°C and 20 bar of pressure in the absence as well as presence of parallel hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of thiophene. The effects of Ir precursor (Ir(AcAc)₃, Ir₄(CO)₁₂, H₂IrCl₆, (NH₄)₂IrCl₆), metal dispersion and sulfur addition were investigated. Ir₄(CO)₁₂ gave the most active catalyst which was ascribed to a lower amount of contaminants originated from the starting Ir compounds rather than to a better Ir dispersion. The decrease of Ir dispersion by sintering in air led to much higher decrease of the rate of C–N bond hydrogenolysis than that of pyridine hydrogenation. The Ir dispersion determined partly the HDN selectivity; a better dispersed Ir phase gave a lower amount of intermediate piperidine. Presulfidation of the reduced catalyst led to 20% decline of the rates of both consecutive HDN steps. An additional and much larger activity decline was caused by the simultaneous execution of HDS. The competitive adsorption of thiophene (or H₂S) was selectively affecting C–N bond hydrogenolysis more than pyridine hydrogenation. The alumina-supported Ir catalysts possessed much higher HDN activity and HDN/HDS selectivity than a conventional NiMo system.     

Interfacial Reactions between Sapphire and Silver—Copper—Titanium Thin Film Filler Metal

Wetting and brazing studies of sputtering-deposited, submicrometer thin film filler metal in an Ag—Cu—Ti/Al₂O₃ system were performed. The interfacial reaction layer between the filler metal and Al₂O₃ was investigated. It is possible to make a brazing joint even with a reaction layer of less than 100 nm thickness. Different types of interfacial reaction layers were observed when the Ti content in the filler metal was varied. The Cu—Ti—O system compounds were observed in the samples with high wetting capabilities, but not in the sample with low wetting characteristics. It was found that these compounds are substances that promote effective brazing.     

超顺磁负载型催化剂 H3PW12O40/γ-Fe2O3催化噻吩和烯烃的烷基化反应简

The alkylation of sulfur compounds with olefine is considered to be an attractive way to attain high level of sulfur removal by raising the boiling point of sulfur-containing compounds to ease their separation from lighl fractions by distillation. A series of superparamagnetic supported catalysts, used for alkylation of thiophene with 1-octene, were prepared by loading H3PW12040 （HPW） onto commercially available nanoparticles γ-Fe2O3 through incipient wet impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Fourier transform infra-red （FT-IR）, thermo gravimetric analysis （TG）, N2-adsorption and vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. The physicochemical characterization reveals that 7-Fe203 could be accommodated to immobilize and disperse HPW. Moreover, possessing high magnetization of 26.1 A.mZ.kg-1 and with mesoporous structure with specific surface area of 35.9 m2·g^-1, the 40% （by mass） HPW loading catalyst is considered the proper catalyst for olefinic alkylation of thiophenic sulfur （OATS） and can be separated in an external magnetic field. The catalytic activity was investigated in the alkylation reaction of thiophene with 1-octene, and the conversion of thiophene is up to 46% at 160 ℃ in 3 h. The 40% （by mass） H3PW12O40/γ-Fe2O3 catalyst can be reused 6 times without too much loss of activit and keeps its property of superparamagnetism.     

柠檬酸引入方式对CoMo/TiO2-Al2O3催化剂加氢脱硫性能的影响

采用改进溶胶-凝胶法制备的TiO_2-Al_2O_3作复合载体,制备不同柠檬酸引入方式改性的CoMo/TiO_2-Al_2O_3加氢脱硫催化剂。利用低温N_2吸附-脱附、XRD、SEM和H_2-TPR等对催化剂进行表征,并采用固定床反应器对催化剂加氢脱硫性能进行评价。结果表明,后处理法制备的催化剂比表面积相对较大,孔道结构较好,活性金属组分以无定形形态均匀分散在载体表面,一定程度上减弱了其与载体间的相互作用;该催化剂可以延缓Co硫化,并且络合生成较多易于硫化还原的Mo物种,利于MoS_2在催化剂表面的堆叠,生成更多的Co-Mo-S(Ⅱ)活性相,因而相应的CoMo催化剂对噻吩加氢脱硫转化率显著提高。     

Sulphur poisoning and regeneration of precious metal catalysed methane combustion

In many of the applications of catalytic combustion small amounts of sulphur compounds are present in the feed gas. In the case of natural gas combustion, and solid fuel syngas, the sulphur compounds are in reduced forms. The present work investigates the influence of small quantities of reduced sulphur compounds on the combustion of methane over alumina-supported precious metal catalysts. The kinetics of the methane combustion in the presence of low concentrations of a mixture of sulphur compounds (ethyl mercaptan, methyl mercaptan, carbonyl sulphide and hydrogen sulphide) are compared with those in the absence of sulphur compounds. The ease of regeneration of the poisoned catalysts, via low temperature reduction with hydrogen, is also examined. In the conditions studied all catalysts have reduced activity in the presence of the sulphur-based gas mixture, but Pt/Al₂O₃ and Rh/Al₂O₃ are more strongly poisoned than Pd/Al₂O₃. Qualitative studies using gas chromatography with atomic emission detection of the exhaust gases, and FTIR spectroscopy of the spent Rh/Al₂O₃ catalyst, suggest that the catalysts experience a mixture of reduced and oxidised species under reaction conditions, and that sulphating of the support occurs. The regeneration step facilitates metal mobility and meets with varying success depending upon the metal. Pt/Al₂O₃ in particular is difficult to regenerate by reduction in hydrogen (400 °C for 0.5 h), and agglomeration is observed by TEM. Rh/Al₂O₃ regenerates well, and low metal particle size is maintained. A non-linear deactivation model is tested to separate sulphur-induced deactivation from ‘natural’ deactivation in the reaction mixture and preliminary results are presented.     

The chemistry of organosulphur compound types occurring in heavy oils: 4. the high-temperature reaction of thiophene and tetrahydrothiophene with aqueous solutions of aluminium and first-row transition-metal cations

In the reactions of thiophene and tetrahydrothiophene with aqueous solutions of first-row transition-metal and aluminium cations at 240 °C and 3.4 MPa all the metal species accelerated the decomposition of the thiophenes in relation to equivalent reactions with pure water. Al³⁺, Sc³⁺, VO²⁺, Cr³⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ were most reactive towards thiophene and Al³⁺, VO²⁺, Cr³⁺ and Cu²⁺ were most reactive towards tetrahydrothiophene. Principal products were H₂S and complex mixtures of organic products. The presence of CO₂ and oxygen-containing organic products revealed that water was involved in direct chemical reaction with the substrates. It is likely that these model reactions parallel more complex processes that occur during the steam-stimulated recovery of oil-sand bitumen and other high-sulphur oils.     

Simultaneous HDS and HDN over supported PtSn catalysts in comparison to commercial NiMo/Al2O3

The performance of platinum-tin catalysts, supported on Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ and subjected to reduction prior to use, has been studied. The catalysts were characterized in reduced forms by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and XPS. The surface properties were determined by N₂ BET specific surface area and CO chemisorption. The model compounds were 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6DMDBT) and carbazole. The PtSn catalysts supported on either Al₂O₃ or SiO₂ were characterised by high activity, but the catalyst PtSn/SiO₂ was found the most effective, even more effective than the commercial KF848 catalyst. Both PtSn catalysts studied were more effective in the reaction of 4,6DMDBT hydrogenation, the dominant product obtained with the use of PtSn/Al₂O₃ was methyl-cyclohexyltoluene (MCHT) and with PtSn/SiO₂ the dominant product was dimethylbicyclohexyl (DMBCH). The amount of dimethylbiphenyl (DMBPh) obtained was small and practically independent of the contact time. In the HDN reaction of carbazole the most active was PtSn/SiO₂. It was also more active in the consecutive reaction of isomerisation of the main product of the HDN reaction, bicyclohexyl (BCH) to methylcyclopentylcyclohexane (MCPCH). The large differences shown in the hydrotreating activity specially in the HDN reaction between PtSn catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ result from the physicochemical properties of both samples. The significantly higher CO chemisorption for PtSn/SiO₂ indicates the presence of larger amount of metallic species and better hydrogenation properties so important for deep hydrotreating process.     

双环戊二烯加氢NiMox/γ-Al2O3催化剂耐硫特性的研究

研究了钼元素及其添加量对镍基催化剂在双环戊二烯（DCPD）加氢反应中耐硫特性的影响规律。催化 剂∶DCPD =1∶10,反应温度150℃,压力3.5 MPa,转速600 r/min,噻吩浓度为：500 mg/L时,Ni/γ-Al₂O₃催化剂的双环戊二烯8、9位双键的加氢速率显著降低,3、4位双键的加氢活性完全抑制; 而NiMo_0.2/γ-Al₂O₃催化剂,在4 h内完成加氢反应,四氢双环戊二烯（endo-THDCPD）收率达到98%,抗硫特性显著提高。不同镍钼比的系列催化剂中,NiMo_0.2/γ-Al₂O₃具有最好的加氢活性与耐硫特性。0~2000 mg/L噻吩浓度内,低浓度条件下,NiMo_0.2/γ-Al₂O₃催化剂对双环戊二烯的加氢活性高,选择性好;随着噻吩浓度增加,催化性能有所下降,2000 mg/L时,加氢反应延长至6 h,endo-THDCPD收率降至95%。     

Phosphonitrilic chloride: 30. Synthesis of chelating polymers from cyclophosphazene derivatives and studies of their electrical conductivity and thermal properties

Chelating polymers containing copper, nickel and cobalt have been formed by reaction of the cyclophosphazene derivatives P₃N₃(NCSNHC₆H₅)₆ or P₃N₃(NCSNHNHC₆H₅)₆ and the corresponding metal ions. The polymers prepared are amorphous solids and insoluble in most organic solvents. The electrical conductivity of the products range from 8.8 × 10⁹ to 1.8 × 10¹⁴ θ-cm. The products are more stable than the corresponding ligand compounds.     

NO reduction by CH4 in the presence of excess O2 over Mn/sulfated zirconia catalysts

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with methane in the presence of excess oxygen has been investigated over a series of Mn-loaded sulfated zirconia (SZ) catalysts. It was found that the Mn/SZ with a metal loading of 2–3 wt.% exhibited high activity for the NO reduction, and the maximum NO conversion over the Mn/SZ catalyst was higher than that over Mn/HZSM-5. NH₃–TPD results of the catalysts showed that the sulfation process of the supports resulted in the generation of strong acid sites, which is essential for the SCR of NO with methane. On the other hand, the N₂ adsorption and the H₂–TPR of the catalysts demonstrated that the presence of the SO₄²⁻ species promoted the dispersion of the metal species and made the Mn species less reducible. Such an increased dispersion of metal species suppressed the combustion reaction of CH₄ by O₂ and increased the selectivity towards NO. The Mn/SZ catalysts prepared by different methods exhibited similar activities in the SCR of NO with methane, indicating the importance of SO₄²⁻. The most attractive feature of the Mn/SZ catalysts was that they were more tolerant to water and SO₂ poisoning than Mn/HZSM-5 catalysts and exhibited higher reversibility after removal of SO₂.     

Effect of synthesis conditions on the molybdenum nitride catalytic activity

Properties of the molybdenum nitrides supported on alumina as well as on active carbon has been investigated in the reactions of thiophene and vacuum gas oil (VGO) hydrodesulfurization (HDS) as well as in the reaction of cyclohexene with hydrogen. Supported molybdenum nitride was more active in thiophene hydrogenolysis than sulfided Mo/Al₂O₃. Also in the reaction of VGO HDS alumina supported molybdenum nitride was more active than sulfided counterpart, however Mo₂N supported on active carbon exhibit low activity. In the products of the cyclohexene reaction over supported Mo₂N methyl-cyclopentanes and benzene has been found.     

Surface characterization of Al2O3–SiO2 supported NiMo catalysts: An effect of support composition

Al₂O₃–SiO₂ mixed oxide has been investigated as a support for hydrotreating catalyst with variation of its composition [Si/(Si + Al) = 0.06, 0.12, 0.31, 0.56, 0.78] and its interaction with the surface active metals (NiMo). The composition of support and surface species (NiMo) of catalysts were characterized by specific surface area, atomic absorption, SEM-EDX, XRD, temperature programmed reduction (TPR), Raman analysis, scanning electron microscopy (STEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Incorporation of SiO₂ in Al₂O₃ promotes a weak interaction between the active phases and particularly catalyst that predominated with SiO₂ content. The oxide and sulfided catalysts characterization indicated that the effect of support is responsible to form different catalytic sites. Crystallization of MoO₃ phases and a relatively longer crystal of MoS₂ in the sulfided catalyst were attributed to an increasing SiO₂ content in the support. The catalytic behavior of the NiMo supported catalysts is explained in terms of structural changes on the surface due to the support and active metal interactions. The activity of the different catalysts evaluated in the thiophene hydrodesulfurization reaction was higher for the catalyst having lower SiO₂ content in the support.     

Catalyst screening for oxidative desulfurization using hydrogen peroxide

Oxidation of a mixture of thiophene, benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene with hydrogen peroxide using supported Pd, Cr₂O₃, unsupported manganese oxides and a commercial Co-Mo/Al₂O₃ as catalysts has been studied in a mixture of hexadecane and acetonitrile. Based solely on the conversion of each organic sulfur compound, the ranking of catalyst efficiency found was: supported Pd > Cr₂O₃ ≈ manganese oxides ≈ Co-Mo/Al₂O₃. The influence of the calcination temperature on synthesized manganese oxides was also investigated. Mn₃O₄, amorphous manganese compounds, Mn₂O₃ and MnO₂ showed a similar catalytic activity independent of the hydrogen peroxide concentration. According to these preliminary results, it seemed that the catalyzed decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide competes with the oxidative desulfurization, however, at short reaction time (10 min) conversions at around 60–70% of thiophene were reached.     

The catalytic transformation of chlorofluorocarbons in hydrogen on metal-based catalysts supported on inorganic fluorides

The use of metal halides as carriers for supported metal catalysts allows to obtain stable and selective materials for the hydrodechlorination of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The most used catalyst is Pd/AlF₃, but unexpected selectivities have been obtained with Pd on “ZrF₄” oxyfluoride materials or KMgF₃ perovskite-like structure. From a survey of the kinetics, mechanism and surface complexes occurring in the transformation of CFC on Pd, explanations of the beneficial use of metal fluorides as carriers are provided. It is proposed that the good hydrodechlorination selectivity observed on Pd/fluoride comes from an electronic modification of Pd by substoichiometric fluoride species, e.g. AlF_x (x<3), in decoration onto the metal particles. The electron withdrawing effect of these species decreases the disponibility of Pd d electrons and favors the desorption of pallado-fluorocarbenes, e.g. =CF₂, CF₃–CF=, etc., to yield HFC compounds. It is also demonstrated that the dilution of the Pd surface by the decorating AlF_x species decreases the probability of occurrence of surface complexes exchanging multiple bonds with Pd, e.g. CF₃–C=, and leading to deeply hydrogenated compounds. Several methods, alloying, coprecipitation, etc. allow to prepare Pd/fluoride with enhanced interaction between Pd and these substoichiometric species.     

Thiophene conversion and ethanol oxidation on SiO2-supported 12-PMoV-mixed heteropoly compounds

Surface properties of supported MoV heteropoly compounds and their activities in hydrodesulfurization of thiophene and oxidation of ethanol were studied. Vanadium incorporated into the phosphomolybdic acid anion increased extent of oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde, whereas the catalyst with (VO)²⁺ increased complete ethanol oxidation to CO₂. The catalysts with (VO)²⁺ or one V atom in the anion showed an increase in HDS activity. Vanadium in anion of phosphomolybdic acid also increased hydrogenation ability. Acidic sites of medium strength were proved to be the most suitable for ethanol oxidation. Such explicit dependence of thiophene hydrodesulfurization on any type of acidic sites was not confirmed. Activity order of supported MoV heteropoly compounds in HDS of thiophene correlated well with the amount of hydrogen consumed during TPR.     

Adsorption and reactions of ethanol and ethanol–water mixture on alumina-supported Pt catalysts

The formation of surface species in the ethanol–water interaction and the reforming of ethanol have been investigated on Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts and for comparison on the support. By means of infrared spectroscopy it was found that on Pt/Al₂O₃ not only adsorbed ethanol, different types of ethoxy species but also traces of acetaldehyde and a significant amount of acetate groups were detectable on the surface. The latter species were stable even at 700 K. The gas phase analysis of the ethanol-dosed surface showed at higher temperature considerable amount of ethylene in the case of Al₂O₃ and hydrogen in the case of Pt/Al₂O₃.

In the ethanol + water reaction the selectivity of H₂ and CO₂ formation at 723 K decreased in time, while that of ethylene increased. This trend was attenuated by increasing the following parameters: water concentration, metal loading and reaction temperature. It was assumed that this behavior of Pt/Al₂O₃ in the ethanol + water reaction can be attributed to the formation of surface acetate groups which hindered the reaction on the metal, although these species were located rather on the support.     

Sulfur Removal from Low‐Sulfur Gasoline and Diesel Fuel by Metal‐Organic Frameworks

Several materials in the class of metal‐organic frameworks (MOF) were investigated to determine their sorption characteristics for sulfur compounds from fuels. The materials were tested using different model oils and common fuels such as low‐sulfur gasoline or diesel fuel at room temperature and ambient pressure. Thiophene and tetrahydrothiophene (THT) were chosen as model substances. Total‐sulfur concentrations in the model oils ranged from 30 mg/kg (S from thiophene) to 9 mg/kg (S from tetrahydrothiophene) as determined by elementary analysis. Initial sulfur contents of 8 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg were identified for low‐sulfur gasoline and for diesel fuel, respectively, by analysis of the common liquid fuels. Most of the MOF materials examined were not suitable for use as sulfur adsorbers. However, a high efficiency for sulfur removal from fuels and model oils was noticed for a special copper‐containing MOF (copper benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate, Cu‐BTC‐MOF). By use of this material, 78 wt % of the sulfur content was removed from thiophene containing model oils and an even higher decrease of up to 86 wt % was obtained for THT‐based model oils. Moreover, the sulfur content of low‐sulfur gasoline was reduced to 6.5 mg/kg, which represented a decrease of more than 22 %. The sulfur level in diesel fuel was reduced by an extent of 13 wt %. Time‐resolved measurements demonstrated that the sulfur‐sorption mainly occurs in the first 60 min after contact with the adsorbent, so that the total time span of the desulfurization process can be limited to 1 h. Therefore, this material seems to be highly suitable for sulfur reduction in commercial fuels in order to meet regulatory requirements and demands for automotive exhaust catalysis‐systems or exhaust gas sensors.