title: Ultra-deep desulfurization of diesel: oxidation with a recoverable catalyst assembled in emulsion.
abstract: A [(C(18)H(37))(2)N(+)(CH(3))(2)](3)[PW(12)O(40)] catalyst, assembled in an emulsion in diesel, can selectively oxidize the sulfur-containing molecules present in diesel into their corresponding sulfones by using H(2)O(2) as the oxidant under mild conditions. The sulfones can be readily separated from the diesel using an extractant, and the sulfur level of the desulfurized diesel can be lowered from about 500 ppm to 0.1 ppm without changing the properties of the diesel. The catalyst demonstrates high performance (>/=96 % efficiency of H(2)O(2), is easily recycled, and approximately 100 % selectivity to sulfones). Metastable emulsion droplets (water in oil) act like a homogeneous catalyst and are formed when the catalyst (as the surfactant) and H(2)O(2) (30 %) are mixed in the diesel. However, the catalyst can be separated from the diesel after demulsification.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 110, Dalian 116023, China. canli@dicp.ac.cn
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zongxuan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jinbo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Yongxing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Shaojun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fuping
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Fuxia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xiuping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Pinliang
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: Chongren
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han