OXIDATION OF SULFUR-COMPOUNDS OF PETROLEUM TO SULFONES UNDER FOAM-EMULSION CONDITIONS IN THE PRESENCE OF METALS

A study has been made of the oxidation of sulphur compounds in a diese l fraction and also sulphoxide concentrate by hydrogen peroxide to sul phones under foam-emulsion conditions in the presence of compounds of variable-valency metals. It has been established that organic derivati ves of molybdenum and vanadium are effective catalysts for the oxidati on of sulphides to sulphones. The best results were obtained in the pr esence of water-soluble molybdenum ethylene glycolate. The advantage o f this catalyst is the absence of corrosion of the equipment and the p ossibility of its repeated use in a closed cycle.