Cyclohexene hydrogenation with molybdenum disulfide catalysts prepared by ex situ decomposition of ammonium thiomolybdate-cetyltrimethylammonium thiomolybdate mixtures

Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (ATTM) is treated with cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) using several ATTM/CTAC ratios. Reaction of ATTM with the limiting reagent CTAC gives the carbon-containing compound cetyltrimethylammonium tetrathio-molybdate (CTAT), resulting in different ATTM–CTAT mixtures or precursors which are then decomposed in N2 at 723 K, yielding mesoporous samples with surface areas of over 260 m2/g. Analysis by XRD and electron microscopy correspond to a well dispersed MoS2–2H phase. The activity of the catalysts is tested in a batch reactor for cyclohexene hydrogenation, where those prepared from ATTM–CTAT precursors are up to seven times more active than the catalyst obtained by thermal decomposition of pure ATTM. The enhanced catalytic activity of these catalysts is attributed to a sulfide phase containing structural carbon.