EFFECTS OF THERMAL PRETREATMENT (REMOVAL OF STERIC HINDRANCE) ON SUBSEQUENT NUCLEAR HYDROGENATION OF HEAVY ALKYLAROMATICS

The changes in structures by thermal pretreatment of heavy alkylaromat ics, which are very difficult to nuclear hydrogenate, and the effects of the pretreatment on subsequent nuclear hydrogenation were investiga ted in comparison with catalytic pretreatment of the same feedstock. T he following results were obtained: (1) the structures of the thermall y pretreated products are quite different from those of the catalytica lly pretreated ones; (2) subsequent nuclear hydrogenation of the therm ally pretreated products becomes much easier because the steric hindra nce is removed; (3) in the case where the same feedstock was catalytic ally pretreated, the products were difficult to nuclear hydrogenate. T hese results suggest various applications, including heavy oil hydrotr eating.