One-pot oxidative desulfurization of fuels using dual-acidic deep eutectic solvents

Four dual-acidic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were synthesized and investigated in an oxidative desulfurization (ODS) system using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. L-Pyroglutamic acid/trifluoracetic acid (L-Pyro/TFA) was further investigated as the extractant and catalyst owing to its excellent properties for removing aromatic sulfur compounds. Hydrogen bond formation by L-Pyro/TFA was confirmed using H-1 NMR and infrared spectra. The factors affecting the desulfurization efficiency, such as the DES/model oil volume ratio (VDES/VOil), reaction temperature, and H2O2/dibenzothiophene (DBT) molar ratio (n(H2O2)/n(DBT)), were explored. The sulfur removal rates of DBT, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, and benzothiophene were up to 99.7%, 99.6%, and 99.2%, respectively, under the optimum conditions, which were V-DES/V-oil = 1:20, n(H2O2)/n(DBT) = 3, and T = 60 degrees C. The ODS reaction followed first order kinetics through dynamic analysis. Furthermore, the desulfurization efficiency reached 98% after DES regeneration, achieved by simply washing with ultrapure water.