KINETICS OF MESOPHASE FORMATION IN A STIRRED-TANK REACTOR AND PROPERTIES OF THE PRODUCTS .6. CATALYSIS BY IRON BENZOATE AND NAPHTHOATE

Iron benzoate and naphthoate were studied as catalyst precursors of an iron-catalyzed pyrolysis of a coal-tar pitch as a technical hydrocarb on mixture and of anthracene as an aromatic model compound. The result s are compared with those obtained with ferrocene, which has been stud ied previously. Both iron compounds are decomposed by formation of iro n clusters at a much lower temperature than ferrocene. For this reason the catalytic effect of iron is found at shorter reaction times and p articularly at lower temperatures. Anthracene is converted to a semi-c oke at temperatures as low as 444 degrees C. In pitch pyrolysis, the c atalytic activity of iron is limited, because the iron is poisoned by formation of iron sulfides. With iron benzoate, but not with iron naph thoate, the nucleation and growth of mesophase spheres is strongly inf luenced. Spherulites are nearly equal in size and have a reduced tende ncy to coalesce up to very high spherulite content. The surface of the spheres is disturbed by segregated material containing iron sulfide. Similar results were also found with ferrocene.