Mixing-assisted oxidative desulfurization of model sulfur compounds using polyoxometalate/H2O2 catalytic system

Desulfurization of fossil fuel derived oil is needed in order to comply with environmental regulations. Dibenzothiophene and benzothiophene are among the predominant sulfur compound present in raw diesel oil. In this study, mixing-assisted oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene and benzothiophene were carried out using polyoxometalate/H2O2 systems and a phase transfer agent. The effects of reaction time (2–30 min) and temperature (30–70 °C) were examined in the oxidation of model sulfur compounds mixed in toluene. A pseudo first-order reaction kinetic model and the Arrhenius equation were utilized in order to evaluate the kinetic rate constant and activation energy of each catalyst tested in the desulfurization process. Results showed the order of catalytic activity and activation energy of the different polyoxometalate catalysts to be H3PW12O40 > H3PM12O40 > H4SiW12O40 for both dibenzothiophene and benzothiophene.