New supported ruthenium catalyst for hydrodesulfurization reaction

The effect of the kind of ruthenium precursor {Ru-3(CO)(12) or RuCl3.nH(2)O } and the activation conditions on the performance of Ru/MgF2 preparations in thiophene hydrodesulfurization has been studied. The highest activity, h igher than that of the commercially available system CoMo/Al2O3, was reveal ed by the Ru/MgF2 catalyst sulfided in the 50% H2S/He atmosphere. According to the results of TPR study, this preparation was characterized by excepti onally high content of RuS2, which seems to be responsible for its high act ivity. As follows from the product distribution of thiophene HDS, the activ ation in the H2S/He atmosphere mainly leads to the formation of saturated p roducts (butane), while the activation in the atmosphere of H2S/H-2, to the formation of unsaturated products (butene-1, cis- and trans-butene-2). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.