Correlation of catalytic activity with the amount of sulphhydryl groups in molybdenum hydrodesulphurization catalysts

• Published in: Applied catalysis 1983-04, Vol.6 (1), p.61-66
• Main Author: Maternova´, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0166-9834
• DOI: 10.1016/0166-9834(83)80188-2

The adsorption of silver ions from a pyridine solution of silver nitrate onto nine commercial sulphided hydrodesulphurization catalysts was studied. The amount of sulphhydryl groups SH was determined on the basis of the amount of protons liberated in this reaction. The reaction of catalysts with silver ions was compared with their activity in thiophene hydrodesulphurization under pressure. A dependence was found between the amount of silver ions adsorbed and the rate constant of thiophene hydrodesulphurization. For cobalt-molybdenum catalysts, a relationship exists between this constant and the amount of sulphhydryl groups. It was ascertained that the catalysts which are most active in the thiophene desulphurization probably contain, in sulphided state, a part of cobalt (nickel) in the form of sulphides.