CHEMICAL-TRANSFORMATIONS OF ORGANIC SULFIDES DURING HYDROGENOLYSIS INTHE PRESENCE OF METAL CHLORIDE COMPLEXES

Desulfurization of organic sulfides in hydrocarbon solvents in the pre sence of aqua complexes of metal chlorides H[MAlCl(4)OH] that exhibit lower acidity as compared to AlCl3 proceeds under mild conditions (450 -525 K, atmospheric pressure) without external introduction of hydroge n. The process occurs with cleavage of C-S bonds and through intermedi ate formation of mercaptans to give H2S and the corresponding hydrocar bons. The reaction is accompanied by cleavage of C-C bonds in the grou ps surrounding the organosulfur moiety, in thiacyclane rings, as well as in hydrocarbon solvent molecules, resulting in the formation of a w ide spectrum of gaseous and liquid products.