Palladium(II) chemically bonded to silica surface applied to the separation and identification of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles in heavy oil

Separation of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles among themselves and also from interferents in petrochemical matrices is a challenging task because of their low concentration, matrix complexity, and also due to the presence of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, as they present similar physico‐chemical properties. Therefore, the objective of this work was preparation, characterization, and application of a stationary phase for separation of these compounds in a heavy gas oil sample and their identification by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography. The stationary phase was prepared by grafting mercaptopropyltrimethoxisilane onto a silica surface, followed by palladium(II) chloride immobilization. Elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, nitrogen adsorption‐desorption isotherms, infrared analysis, and scanning electron microscopy were performed to characterize this solid phase. Sulfur compounds were separated in an open column packed with the stationary phase and analyzed by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric detection. The number of compounds tentatively identified was 314 and their classes were thiophenes, benzotiophenes, dibenzothiophenes, naphthothiophenes, benzonaphthothiophenes, and dinaphthothiophenes. Separation among sulfur compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons was successful, which is a difficult goal to achieve with the traditionally employed solid phases. Some recalcitrant compounds (dibenzothiophenes with substituents of two and four carbons) were fully separated and tentatively identified.     

Mass spectrometric identification of polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes (PCDBTs) in surface sediments of the River Elbe

HRGC/MS was applied to six sediment samples from River Elbe for the determination of polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes (PCDBTs). Among the studied tri-, tetra- and octa-chlorinated isomers, trichlorinated species were found to be the dominating ones. The estimated concentration levels of the compounds were in the range of approximately 0.02–2 μg/kg dry weight for trichlorinated and 0.1–0.3 μg/kg for octachlorinated species. Tetrachlorinated dibenzothiophenes could not be detected.     

Synthesis of multisulfur-containing substituted dibenzothiophenes

New substituted dibenzothiophenes have been prepared and characterized. Selective functionalizations utilized substitutions of lithiodibenzothiophenes available from established methodology. New dibenzothiophenes prepared include 2-(bromomethyl)dibenzothiophene (5) , 2-(thiomethyl)dibenzothiophene (6) , 2-S-phenylthiomethyldibenzothiophene (24) , 2-S-(2′-dibenzothiophenylmethyl)thiomethyldibenzothiophene (25) , 2-S-methyldibenzothiophene (30) , 2-S-(p-bromophenyl)dibenzothiophene (31) , and 2-S-benzyldibenzothiophene (33). Dibenzothiophenes prepared from 4-lithiodibenzothiophene include 4-(bromomethyl)dibenzothiophene (13) , 4-(thiomethyl)dibenzothiophene (14) , 4-S-(4′-dibenzothiophenylmethyl)thiomethyldibenzothiophene (26) , 4-S-(p-tolyl)dibenzothiophene (34) , 4-S-methyldibenzothiophene (35) , 4-S-benzyldibenzothiophene (37) , and 4-S-(p-bromophenyl)dibenzothiophene (36). Similarly new 2,8-disubstituted dibenzothiophenes prepared include 2,8-bis(thiomethyl)dibenzothiophene (19) , 2,8-bis(S-benzyl)dibenzothiophene (27) , 2,8-bis(S-p-tolyl)dibenzothiophene (28) and 2,8-bis(S-methyl)dibenzothiophene (29). The cmr chemical shift data for these dibenzothiophenes are also included.     

Mass spectrometric identification of polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes (PCDBTs) in surface sediments of the River Elbe

HRGC/MS was applied to six sediment samples from River Elbe for the determination of polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes (PCDBTs). Among the studied tri-, tetra- and octa-chlorinated isomers, trichlorinated species were found to be the dominating ones. The estimated concentration levels of the compounds were in the range of approximately 0.02–2 μg/kg dry weight for trichlorinated and 0.1–0.3 μg/kg for octachlorinated species. Tetrachlorinated dibenzothiophenes could not be detected. Received: 7 October 1997 / Revised: 4 February 1998 / Accepted: 9 February 1998     

Transition‐Metal‐Free Synthesis of Carbazoles and Indoles by an SNAr‐Based “Aromatic Metamorphosis” of Thiaarenes

Dibenzothiophene dioxides, which are readily prepared through oxidation of the parent dibenzothiophenes, undergo nucleophilic aromatic substitution with anilines intermolecularly and then intramolecularly to yield the corresponding carbazoles in a single operation. The “aromatic metamorphosis” of dibenzothiophenes into carbazoles does not require any heavy metals. This strategy is also applicable to the synthesis of indoles. Since electron‐deficient thiaarene dioxides exhibit interesting reactivity, which is not observed for that the corresponding electron‐rich azaarenes, a combination of a thiaarene‐dioxide‐specific reaction with the S_NAr‐based aromatic metamorphosis allows transition‐metal‐free construction of difficult‐to‐prepare carbazoles.     

HRGC-MS of polychlorinated phenanthrenes (PCPhen), dibenzothiophenes (PCDT), dibenzothianthrenes (PCTA), and phenoxathiins (PCPT)

Polychlorinated phenanthrenes (PCPhen, Cl_x Phen, x = 1–10), dibenzothiophenes (PCDT, Cl_xDT, x = 1–8), thianthrenes (PCTA, Cl_xTA, x = 1–8), and phenoxathiins (PCPT, Cl_xPT, x = 1–8) were synthesized and analyzed by high resolution capillary gas chromatography and EI and NCI mass spectrometry. In experiments the formation of polychlorinated phenanthrenes and dibenzothiophenes in combustion processes has been proved and compounds of these two classes have been detected in dust samples of an urban motorway tunnel.     

Influence of injection systems on the gas chromatographic analysis of oxygenated dibenzothiophenes

Analytical methods are described for identification and monitoring of the oxygenated metabolites of dibenzothiophene. Since such compounds are thermolabile, GC analysis is seen to be hardly feasible with conventional injectors such as all-glass moving needle or splitless injectors. Only on-column injection gives no degradation products. In addition, reversed-phase HPLC is particularly suitable for the analysis of the sulfone or sulfoxides of dibenzothiophenes.     

Synthesis of naphthalenes and 2-naphthols by the electrophilic cyclization of alkynes

[reactions: see text] A wide variety of substituted naphthalenes are readily prepared regioselectively under mild reaction conditions by the 6-endo-dig electrophilic cyclization of appropriate arene-containing propargylic alcohols by ICl, I2, Br2, NBS, and PhSeBr. 3-Iodo-2-naphthols have also been prepared in excellent yields by the cyclization of analogous 1-aryl-3-alkyn-2-ones. This methodology readily accommodates various functional groups and has been successfully extended to the synthesis of substituted carbazoles and dibenzothiophenes.     

Effect of Acidic and Basic Species on the Hydrodesulfurization of Methyl-Substituted Dibenzothiophenes

Acidic components when added to Mo-based catalysts enhance the activity of the catalysts for the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of methyl-substituted dibenzothiophenes (DBTs), the major refractory compounds included in gas oil. However, the enhancing effect of the acidic species is frequently retarded by impurities present in the gas oil, particularly by basic nitrogen compounds. Accordingly, evaluations of the performance of such acid-modified catalysts in HDS should take into account the combined effects of acidic and basic components. The performance is strongly dependent on the types of DBT compounds, acidic and basic species involved in the reaction, and promoters of the Mo-based catalysts.     

柴油馏分中含硫化合物组成与分布特征

采用毛细管气相色谱/脉冲火焰光度检测器(GC/PFPD,Gas Chromatograph/ Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector)对新疆独山子石化公司炼油厂的五种柴油馏分中的硫化物进行了分析。结果表明,常一线馏分中所含的硫化物主要是C0~4苯并噻吩;常二线馏分中除含有C_1~4苯并噻吩外还含有大量的C_0~3二苯并噻吩及部分未知硫化物;焦化柴油中硫化物组成最为复杂,包含中间馏分油中所有常见的硫化物类型;而催化裂化柴油和加氢柴油中硫化物类型主要为烷基苯并噻吩和烷基二苯并噻吩,其中加氢柴油中的硫化物相对丰度比催化裂化柴油低的多。     

Speciation of sulfur-containing compounds in diesel by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

Sulfur-containing compounds in diesel have been speciated by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) with a sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD). The advantages of GCxGC technique are higher resolution and greater sensitivity. GCxGC-SCD can achieve the class separation of sulfur-containing compounds with an appropriate separation column combination. The major classes of sulfur-containing compounds in diesel are benzothiophenes and dibenzothiophenes. Relative concentration of each class as well as each carbon number family can be quantitated by the summation of the integrated areas corresponding to the individual group(s) in the GCxGC space. In practical applications, GCxGC-SCD can be used to characterize different diesels and to reflect desulfurization process efficiency. In this study, GCxGC-SCD has demonstrated its value in speciation of sulfur-containing compounds classes, which is difficult to accomplish by any other single technique.     

Determination of the boiling point distribution of sulfur compounds in light cycle oil using GC with a flame photometric detector and pyrolyzer

A method has been developed to determine the boiling point distribution of sulfur compounds in light cycle oils (LCO'S). The method chosen for this analysis was GC with a flame photometric detector (FPD) and pyrolyzer. Tests were carried out to evaluate the recovery efficiency, repeatability, and accuracy of the method. Repeatabilities within 2% were obtained. The recovery of benzothiophenes and dibenzothiophenes was close to 100%; this was important because these are the major sulfur components in LCO's. No hydrocarbon or solvent interferences were observed with the use of the pyrolyzer, even for a 95% solvent level. Comparison with results from other techniques showed that the method accurately determined the levels of sulfur compounds in the LCO boiling point range.     

全二维气相色谱/飞行时间质谱用于柴油组成的研究

将全二维气相色谱法(GC×GC)用于柴油馏分的组成分布研究,建立了两种GC×GC方法,一种用于柴油组成的详细表征,另一种用于柴油族组成的快速分离和定量,两种方法均不需要样品预处理。用前一种方法对柴油馏分中的烃类化合物、主要的含硫化合物与含氮化合物组成进行了研究;对催化裂解柴油中的27种含氮化合物和42种含硫化合物进行了定性;用后一种方法在70 min内即可完成柴油馏分族组成的定量分析,应用所建立的方法测定了4个不同来源的柴油馏分中非芳烃、一环芳烃、二环芳烃、三环芳烃的含量,定量结果与ASTM D2425法     

Petroleum heteroatom compounds in various commercial delayed coking liquids: characterized by FT-ICR MS and GC techniques

Delayed coking is an important petroleum resid conversion process. The processability of coking liquids is known to be dependent on the heteroatom compounds present in the coking liquids. Eight commercial delayed coking liquids were characterized by electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS) and gas chromatographic techniques. High relatively abundant heteroatom compounds in the coking liquids were 1–4 aromatic-ring pyridinic nitrogen compounds, carbazoles, benzocarbazoles, phenols, mercaptans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothiophenes, and naphthobenzothiophenes. Coking liquids derived from various feeds had similar compound class types, molecular weight distribution ranges, and double bond equivalents (DBE). However, the concentration of individual compounds and the distribution of DBE versus carbon number of heteroatom compounds varied. A comparison of heteroatom compounds in coker feeds and products revealed the various reaction mechanism of heteroatom compounds occurred during the coking process. The results suggested that molecular-level process models can be developed for optimization of unit operation to obtain desirable products that meet the environmental specifications and quality requirements.     

Synthesis of some 4-substituted and 4,6-disubstituted dibenzothiophenes

The synthesis is described of various 4-substituted ( 1 ) and 4,6-disubstituted ( 2 ) dibenzothiophenes by lithiation reactions. The factors controlling the formation of 4,6-disubstituted dibenzothiophenes by the lithiation of 4-methyl- and 4-ethyl-dibenzothiophene at the 6-position versus lithiation at the α-carbon of the 4-substituent are examined.     

Hydrous pyrolysis of organic sulfur compounds: Species and distribution of secondary derivatives

The species and distributions of secondary compounds generated from eight organic sulfur compounds by way of hydrous pyrolysis were investigated. The results indicate that the formation of the secondary compounds and their structures and distribution depend on their thermal stability and the types of initial model compounds, as well as hydrous pyrolysis temperatures, while a large number and higher abundance of the secondary compounds appear to be formed mainly between 200 and 270 °C. Assignment of these secondary compounds indicates that alkyl thiols and sulfides are the most reactive compounds, producing a large number and relatively high amount of secondary organic thiols, sulfides, disulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones; while the secondary compounds generated from the thiophenic compounds are mainly low abundant methylated isomers of their own. Disulfidization, sulfidization and oxidation are the most significant mechanism(s) associated with the transformation of the initial thiols and sulfides model compounds. Alkyl thiophenes are only found to be formed from the alkyl thiol and sulfides, while it is noticed that thiophene, benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene are not genetically connected as they are not precursors of each other. Methylated thiophenic compounds are quantitatively insignificant but commonly present in the pyrolysates of thiophenes, benzothiophenes and dibenzothiophenes.     

Palladium‐Assisted “Aromatic Metamorphosis” of Dibenzothiophenes into Triphenylenes

Two new palladium‐catalyzed reactions of aromatic sulfur compounds enabled the conversion of dibenzothiophenes into triphenylenes in four steps. This transformation of one aromatic framework into another consists of 1) 4‐chlorobutylation of the dibenzothiophene to form the corresponding sulfonium salt, 2) palladium‐catalyzed arylative ring opening of the sulfonium salt with a sodium tetraarylborate, 3) an intramolecular S_N2 reaction to form a teraryl sulfonium salt, and 4) palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular C? S/C? H coupling through electrophilic palladation. Symmetrical as well as unsymmetrical triphenylenes of interest were synthesized in a tailor‐made fashion in satisfactory overall yields.     

Analysis of sulfur-containing compounds in crude oils by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with sulfur chemiluminescence detection

This paper reports an analytical method for separating, identifying, and quantifying sulfur-containing compounds in crude oil fraction (IBP-360 degrees C) samples based on comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with a sulfur chemiluminescence detector. Various sulfur-containing compounds and their groups were analyzed with one direct injection. 3620 peaks were detected including 1722 thiols/thioethers/ disulfides/1-ring thiophenes, 953 benzothiophenes, 704 dibenzothiophenes, and 241 benzonaphthothiophenes. The target sulfur compounds and their groups were identified based on the group separation feature and structured retention of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography as well as standard substances. The quantitative analysis of major sulfur-containing compounds and total sulfur was based on the linear response of the sulfur chemiluminescence detector using the internal standard method. The sulfur contents of target sulfur compounds and their groups in 4 crude oil fractions were also determined. The recoveries for standard sulfur-containing compounds were in the range of 90-102%. The quantitative result of total sulfur in the Oman crude oil fraction sample was compared with those from ASTM D 4294 standard method (total S by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry), the relative deviation (RD%) was 4.2% and the precision of the method satisfactory.     

Separation of polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes from polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans

Polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes (PCDT) have recently been identified in a series of environmental samples. Since their masses are very close to those of the polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDD), low resolution mass selective detection cannot be used to distinguish between these two classes of compounds. A method is presented which may allow this, involving the oxidation of the PCDTs to the corresponding sulfones which have a higher mass than the PCDDs. If needed, the PCDTO₂s can easily be separated from the PCDDs and the polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) by simple chromatographic techniques. The PCDDs/Fs are apparently stable under the oxidative conditions so that now a determination of PCDDs and PCDFs becomes possible without interference from PCDTs.     

Comparison of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with sulfur-chemiluminescence detector to standard methods for speciation of sulfur-containing compounds in middle distillates

The monitoring of total sulfur content and speciation of individual sulfur-containing compounds in middle distillates is required for efficient catalyst selection and for a better understanding of the kinetics of the reactions involved in hydrotreament processes. Owing to higher resolution power and enhanced sensitivity, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) hyphenated to sulfur chemiluminescence detection (SCD) has recently evolved as a powerful tool for improving characterization and identification of sulfur compounds. The aim of this paper is to compare quantitatively GCxGC-SCD and various other methods commonly employed in the petroleum industry, such as X-ray fluorescence, conventional GC-SCD, and high-resolution mass spectrometry, for total sulfur content determination and speciation analysis. Different samples of middle distillates have been analyzed to demonstrate the high potential and important advantages of GCxGC-SCD for innovative and quantitative analysis of sulfur-containing compounds. More accurate and detailed results for benzothiophenes and dibenzothiophenes are presented, showing that GCxGC-SCD should become, in the future, an essential tool for sulfur speciation analysis.