Hydrogenolysis of Dimethyl Disulfide to Methanethiol in the Presence of Cobalt Sulfide Catalysts

The hydrogenolysis of dimethyl disulfide to methanethiol at T = 180–260°C and atmospheric pressure in the presence of supported cobalt sulfide catalysts has been studied. Cobalt sulfide on aluminum oxide exhibits a higher activity than that on a carbon support or silicon dioxide. The maximum reaction rate per gram of a catalyst is observed on an 8% Co/Al₂O₃ catalyst. At temperatures of up to 200°C and conversions up to 90%, methanethiol is formed with nearly 100% selectivity regardless of the cobalt content, whereas the selectivity for methanethiol under more severe conditions decreases because of its condensation to dimethyl sulfide.