Catalytic desulfurization of condensed thiophenes by means of methanol

Desulfurization of dibenzothiophene, two methyldibenzothiophenes, and phenanthro4,5-bcd]-thiophene to give 60-80% yields of hydrocarbon products was effected by means of a sulfided molydena catalyst plus methanol at 450° and a pressure of ca. one atmosphere. The methanol functions both as an in situ hydrogen donor and as a methylating agent.