Discovery and optimization of hydrodesulfurization catalysts using a combinatorial approach

A UV-visible absorption based, combinatorial approach was developed to screen new HDS catalyst for the removal of sulfur compounds from petroleum streams (gasoline). The method uses optical changes resulting from the HDS of 1,1′-binaphthothiopene. Preliminary examination of the HDS catalyst screen indicated that it is a good method that quickly evaluates several catalysts simultaneously, thus increasing the rate at which catalysts could be tested. Thermal rearrangement and subsequent intramolecular displacement of thiocarbamate at 400°C gave 1,1′-binapthothiophene in 75% yield. The A₃₅₃ of Ni/Mo on Al₂O₃, a known HDS catalyst, was 0.010, indicating almost all of 1,1′-binaphthothiophene was consumed. While Co/Mo on Al₂O₃ is also a known HDS catalyst, the A₃₅₃ after HDS was not as low as Ni/Mo. Al₂O₃ and thiocarbamate Å molecular sieves were correctly identified as non-HDS catalysts by their A₃₅₃ being near that of the control.