Synthesis of amphiphilic peroxophosphomolybdates for oxidative desulfurization of fuels in ionic liquids

Abstract

Abstract Three amphiphilic peroxophosphomolybdates [C4mim]3PMo4O24, [C8mim]3PMo4O24 and [C16mim]3PMo4O24 were synthesized and characterized. These catalysts were used for extraction and catalytic oxidative desulfurization of fuel with H2O2 as an oxidant and ionic liquid [C4mim]BF4 as an extractant. It was found that [C16mim]3PMo4O24 showed the highest catalytic activity and the sulfur content could decrease to 7.5 ppm. In contrast, the desulfurization system shows very low performance without H2O2 or ionic liquid. The detailed reaction conditions were optimized including reaction time, temperature, the dosage of H2O2 and catalyst, and different sulfur compounds. After the reaction, the catalysts and the ionic liquid can be cycled 8 times with a little decrease in desulfurization efficiency.

Keywords

• Peroxophosphomolybdate
• Oxidative desulfurization
• Ionic liquid
• H2O2