Oxidative desulfurization of 4,6-dimethyl dibenzothiophene and light cycle oil over supported molybdenum oxide catalysts

Alumina, silica-alumina and magnesia-alumina supported, unpromoted and bismuth promoted 15 wt.% molybdenum oxide catalysts were prepared and characterized by XRD, surface area and oxygen chemisorption. The catalysts were evaluated for the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of 4,6-dimethyl clibenzothiophene to the corresponding sulfone using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. Among all the catalysts examined, Bi-Mo/Siral 1 exhibited the best catalytic performance compared to all the catalysts examined. The catalyst also showed high conversion with appreciable stability until 300 h during ODS of light cycle oil (LCO) in batch and fixed bed reactors. The performance of the catalysts was discussed in terms of molybdenum oxide dispersion measured by oxygen chemisorption and acidity of the support. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.