Oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene with dioxygen and reverse micellar peroxotitanium under mild conditions

The reverse micellar peroxotitanium-containing catalyst [C18H37N(CH3)3]7[PW10Ti2O38(O2)2] was assembled in the organic solvent and the structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), Diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectrum (DR-UV–vis), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Direct oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) using O2 was performed by this reverse micellar catalyst with ∼100% selectivity in the oxidation of DBT to sulfone. By this catalyst, it could catalytically decrease sulfur level in diesel from 500 ppm to 1.0 ppm at ambient pressure and moderate temperature.

Graphical abstractThe reverse micellar peroxotitanium-containing catalyst [C18H37N(CH3)3]7[PW10Ti2O38(O2)2] was assembled in organic solvent decalin. Direct oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) with O2 was performed by this reverse micellar catalyst, which exhibits high selectivity and activity in the oxidation of DBT to sulfone with ∼100% selectivity and could catalytically decrease sulfur level in diesel from 500 ppm to 1.0 ppm at ambient pressure and moderate temperature.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The reverse micellar peroxotitanium-containing catalyst [C18H37N(CH3)3]7[PW10Ti2O38(O2)2] was assembled and characterized. ► Direct oxidation of dibenzothiophene with O2 was performed by the reverse micellar catalyst. ► Direct oxidation of dibenzothiophene exhibits high selectivity and activity in the oxidation of DBT to sulfone with ∼100% selectivity. ► Direct oxidation of dibenzothiophene could catalytically decrease sulfur level in diesel from 500 ppm to 1.0 ppm at ambient pressure and moderate temperature.