Hydrodenitrogenation of Quinoline with high selectivity to aromatics over α-MoC1-x

The hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) with a low hydrogen consumption in the hydroprocessing of crude oils derived from carbon resources is still a challenge. Here, a molybdenum carbide (alpha-MoC1-x) catalyst with a high selectivity to aromatic compounds was reported, using the HDN of quinoline as a model reaction. This process was characterized by low hydrogen consumption. The prepared alpha-MoC1-x had a much larger specific surface area (107.6 m(2)center dot g(-1)) than beta-Mo2C (6.8 m(2)center dot g(-1)). Under the catalysis of alpha-MoC1-x, the conversion and the denitrification rate of quinoline could both reach 99%, and the highest selectivity of the total aromatics reached 48.5% at 360 degrees C, which was 10.7% higher than that on beta-Mo2C. The cleavage of C-C bonds of side chain of Propylbenzene (PB) and Propylcyclohexane (PCH) occurred, producing several unexpected products with unusual high selectivity. A new possible reaction network of quinoline hydrodenitrogenation was drawn, and the reaction mechanism was discussed based on the experiments and DFT (density functional theory) calculations.

Automated summary

The study presents a molybdenum carbide (alpha-MoC1-x) catalyst for HDN reactions with high selectivity to aromatic compounds and reduced hydrogen consumption.