SELECTIVE DESULFURIZATION OF BENZOTHIOPHENE DERIVATIVES USING HYDROGEN STORAGE ALLOYS

Hydrodesulfurization of a series of benzothiophene derivatives using h ydrogen storage alloys as stoichiometric reagents, typically LaNi5, wa s investigated. It was found that the reactions of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene with the pre-hydrogenated alloys in nitrogen selectiv ely produced ethylbenzene and biphenyl, respectively, along with extre mely minor amounts of aromatic ring-hydrogenated compounds in appropri ate conditions. Even with a sterically hindered compound, 4,6-dimethyl dibenzothiophene, hydrogenation of which, using conventional Go-Mo or Ni-Mo catalysts, lends to produce ring-saturated products, 3,3'-dimeth ylbiphenyl, was obtained as the predominant product. The alloys, thus, appear to be useful reagents for selective of elimination sulfur from sulfur-containing aromatic compounds.