Catalytic Hydrodesulphurization of Thiophene: Iv. The Methylthiophenes

The hydrodesulphurization of 2- and 3-methylthiophene was studied over a sulphided, alumina-supported cobalt molybdate catalyst in a microreactor permitting the use of both pulse and steady-state flow techniques. The higher rates obtained with the 3-isomer were interpreted in terms of involvement of the α-carbon. The results were found to conform to the predominant reaction sequence proposed earlier for thiophene: C—S bond fission followed by diene and monoolefin formation and complete saturation. Some ancillary experiments on the hydrogenation of C5-olefins were reported.