METHOD FOR REDUCING THE MUTAGENICITY OF COAL TAR CONTAINING POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC MATERIAL BY CONTACTING IT WITH AN ALKYLATING AGENT AND AN ACID CATALYST

摘要

A process for reducing the mutagenicity of a polynuclear aromatic containing material. The process includes the step of contacting the polynuclear aromatic containing material having an initial mutagenicity index value in the presence of an alkylating agent with an acid catalyst under alkylation conditions sufficient to reduce the mutagenicity of the polynuclear aromatic containing material to a level less than the initial mutagenicity index value. Also provided is a process for reducing the mutagenicity of a hydrocarbonaceous refinery stream containing polynuclear aromatic compounds having three to seven rings. The process is particularly applicable to coaltar-based materials.