Photochemical Production of Biphenyls from Oxidized Sulfur Compounds Obtained by Oxidative Desulfurization of Light Oils

摘要

Photochemical production and recovery process of biphenyls from the desulfurization products, obtained by oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of light oils, has been investigated. The S-oxidized dibenzothiophenes (DBT sulfones), when dissolved in 2-propanol, were converted successfully into the corresponding biphenyls by photoirradiation at wavelengths of λ > 280 nm using a high-pressure mercury lamp, under conditions of nitrogen atmosphere and at room temperature. The present photochemical process was found to be also effective for the production of biphenyls from the DBT sulfones present in the desulfurization products of low-aromatic-content light oils. The quantitative recovery of biphenyls from the resulting 2-propanol solution was carried out successfully by adsorption using neutral aluminum oxide and subsequent elution with dichlo-romethane-hexane (20/80 v/v) mixture.