Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Synthesis of Methyl Mercaptan and Thiophene from CO/H2/H2S Using α-Al2O3

  • Published:
Catalysis Letters Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Methyl mercaptan and by-product thiophene can be obtained from the reaction of CO/H2/H2S mixtures over α-Al2O3 at 340 °C, and selectivities of methyl mercaptan of ≥98% can be readily obtained in a sustained reaction. γ-Al2O3 and Cr2O3 were also found to be active catalysts and gave high selectivities to methyl mercaptan, although these catalysts gave (CH3)2S as by-product rather than thiophene. In the absence of H2S, all the catalysts displayed virtually no catalytic activity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. V. Twigg, Catalyst Handbook (Wolfe Publishing Ltd., Frome, UK, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  2. J. P. Hindemann, G. J. Hutchings and A. Kiennemann, Catal. Rev.—Sci. Eng. 35 (1993) 1.

    Google Scholar 

  3. R. T. Clark, J. A. Elkins Jr., U. S. Pat 5,283,369 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  4. J. Barrault, M. Guisnet, J. Lucient and R. Manrel, U. S. Pat 4,143,052.

  5. N. R. Clark and W. E. Webster, U. K. Pat 1,345,203.

  6. B. W. L. Southward, L. S. Fuller, G. J. Hutchings, R. W. Joyner and R. A. Stewart, Chem. Commun. (1998) 2541.

  7. B. W. L. Southward, L. S. Fuller, G. J. Hutchings, R. W. Joyner and R. A. Stewart, Chem. Lett. 55 (1998) 207.

    Google Scholar 

  8. T. C. Bromfield and N. J. Coville, Appl. Catal. A186 (1999) 297.

    Google Scholar 

  9. H. G. Stenger, Prepr. Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem. 31 (1986) 251.

    Google Scholar 

  10. J. F. Olin, U. S. Pat 3,070,632 (1962).

  11. P. G. Haines, U. S. Pat 4,449,006 (1984).

  12. J. Barrault, M. Boulinguiez, C. Forquy and R. Maurel, Appl. Catal. 33 (1987) 309.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Y. Q. Yang, H. Yang, Q. Wang, L. J. Yu, C. Wang, S. J. Dai and Y. Z. Yuan, Catal. Lett. 74 (2001) 221.

    Google Scholar 

  14. G. Mul, I. E. Wachs and A. S. Hirschen, Catal. Today 78 (2003) 327.

    Google Scholar 

  15. S. Colley, R. G. Copperthwaite, G. J. Hutchings and A. Kiennemann, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 27 (1988) 1339.

    Google Scholar 

  16. V. Y. Mashkin, V. M. Kudenkov and A. V. Mashkina, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 34 (1995) 2964.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 912, Cardiff, UK, CF10 3TB

    Baojian Zhang, Stuart H. Taylor & Graham J. Hutchings

Authors
  1. Baojian Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stuart H. Taylor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Graham J. Hutchings
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Graham J. Hutchings.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhang, B., Taylor, S.H. & Hutchings, G.J. Synthesis of Methyl Mercaptan and Thiophene from CO/H2/H2S Using α-Al2O3 . Catalysis Letters 91, 181–183 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CATL.0000007152.91400.95

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CATL.0000007152.91400.95

Keywords

Search

Navigation