Oxidation of Dibenzothiophene to Dibenzothiophene-Sulfone Using Molybdenum (VI) Oxide, Tungsten (VI) Oxide, and Ratios of Molybdenum (VI) Oxide and Tungsten (VI) Oxide at Atomspheric Pressure

This is a study of the catalytic oxidation of dibenzothiophene to dibenzothiophene sulfone using molybdenum (VI) oxide, tungsten (VI) oxide, and mixtures of molybdenum (VI) oxide and tungsten (VI) oxide at atmospheric pressure. The oxidative desulfurization reaction is studied with respect to the kinetics and thermodynamics of the process. Five catalysts were synthesized using a precipitation reaction. The five catalysts were 100% MoO3, 75/25% MoO3/WO3, 50/50% MoO3/WO3, 25/75% MoO3/WO3, and 100% WO3. Each catalyst was calcinated at three different temperatures 250oC, 500oC, 750oC and characterized using X-Ray Diffraction. Reactions of DBT-catalyst were held, under reflux, at temperatures from 140 oC to 170oC. Reaction kinetics were determined by collecting aliquots at 30 minute intervals for four hours. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry was used to monitor the catalytic conversion of DBT to DBT-sulfone. This study demonstrates the efficiency of the five catalysts at varying calcination and reaction temperatures