KINETICS OF CATALYTIC REACTION BETWEEN METHANOL AND HYDROGEN-SULFIDE

Methanol reaction with H2S on tungsten- and potassium-promoted alumina was studied in the absence of any diffusional restrictions. We have f ound that on both W/Al2O3 and KW/Al2O3 catalysts methanol reacts with H2S to produce methyl mercaptan, which may convert to dimethyl sulfide through either interaction with the second molecule of methanol or di sproportionation. Methanol dehydration yields dimethyl ether. For KW/A l2O3 catalyst, the generation of methyl mercaptan dominates. Adsorptio n data permitted us to suggest a mechanism of methanol reaction with H 2S. According to this mechanism reaction proceeds via the rapid methox ylation of catalyst surface and further interaction of CH3O groups wit h the activated H2S, CH3SH, and CH3OH. The kinetic equations obtained describe fairly well the reaction on the inhomogeneous catalyst surfac e.