REACTION PATHWAYS OF MODEL COPROCESSING SYSTEMS USING MOLYBDENUM NAPHTHENATE AND EXCESS SULFUR

The activity and selectivity of catalysts generated in situ from molybdenum naphthenate and excess sulfur for reactions occurring in coal-oil reactions have been examined. The reaction pathways for species representative of those present in coal and petroleum residuum are presented. The MoS2 catalyst generated in situ promotes partial saturation of the multiring aromatic to hydroaromatic species but does not promote further saturation of the hydroaromatic or of single-ring alkyl-substituted aromatics. Heteroatom removal with this in situ generated MoS2 catalyst follows two simultaneous reaction pathways: one for heteroatom removal prior to saturation of the aromatic rings producing alkyl-substituted single-ring aromatics and the other for heteroatom removal after saturation of the aromatic rings producing primarily alkyl-substituted cyclic hydrocarbons. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.