Verfahren zur Gewinnung eines Kohlenwasserstoffdestillates von vermindertem Mercaptangehalt und verbesserter Farbe

Hydrocarbon distillates are sweetened and rendered an acceptable colour by reaction with an oxidizing agent, e.g. air, in the presence of a metal phthalocyanine catalyst followed by treatment with a hydrosulphite. The catalyst may be employed as a fixed bed when it is deposited on a carrier or as a solution. The catalytic reaction may be carried out in the presence of an alkaline reagent, e.g. aqueous alcoholic or keytonic solutions of alkali metal or ammonium hydroxides. Catalysts specified are cobalt, nickel, copper, vanadium, molybdenum, chromium or tungsten phthalocyanines and cobalt and vanadium phthalocyanine sulphonates. The hydrosulphite may be employed as a fixed bed or as an aqueous, alcoholic or ketonic solution. Hydrosulphites specified are those of ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metals, copper, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, platinum, rhodium molybdenum, silver or gold.