SECONDARY THIOLS FROM MONO-OLEFIN, H2S amp; ACIDIC ZEOLITE CATALYST

摘要

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of C10 to C30 secondary thiols which comprises contacting in a liquid phase at a temperature in the range from 40 DEG to 140 DEG C and at a pressure of at least 10 bar, one or more C10 to C30 linear mono-olefns with hydrogen sulphide, the molar ratio of said hydrogen sulphide to said olefins in said liquid phase being at least 1 to 1, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a zeolite catalyst. The process achieves high selectivity to the secondary thiol and minimizes formation of dialkyl sulphide by-products. The secondary thiol products are of particular advantage for use as intermediates in the preparation of surfactant chemicals.