Sulfided Homogeneous Iron Precatalyst for Partial Hydrogenation and Hydrodesulfurization of Polycyclic Aromatic Model Asphaltenes

Here, we report the first study to use Fe2S2(CO)(6) as a well-defined petroleum-soluble precatalyst for partial hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds, including pyrene, phenanthrene, naphthalene, and benzothiophene. The in situ-generated heterogeneous catalyst was characterized using a combination of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), combustion analysis (CHNS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). Catalytic performance of Fe2S2(CO)(6) was evaluated in a batch microreactor coupled with an agitator, varying reaction temperature, pressure, and precatalyst loading. The active phase, consisting of iron sulfide nanoparticles, was prepared from purified Fe2S2(CO)(6) in toluene; no sulfur additive is required. The results demonstrate that a presulfided iron catalyst leads to partial hydrogenation of polycondensed aromatics under moderate conditions, with naphthalene showing only low conversion. Activated carbon, gamma-alumina, and activated silica are all effective dispersants for the Fe precursor. The reactivity shows self-consistent substrate dependence, varying with the resonance energy stabilization of the starting compounds and partially saturated intermediates coupled with the surface adsorption enthalpy of the aromatic ring system. The active catalyst derived from this precursor exhibits higher catalytic activity than commercial iron sulfide precatalysts. Importantly, the catalyst is active for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of benzothiophene, albeit modestly so.