Oxidation of Dibenzothiophene with the Subsequent Bioconversion of Sulfone

Dibenzothiophene oxidation has been carried out in the presence of catalysts based on transition metal salts and acids. The effect of the nature of the catalyst, acid, and oxidant, as well as the time and temperature of oxidation exerted on the conversion level of dibenzothiophene, is studied. It has been shown that an optimal catalyst composition such as Na 2 MoO 4 : HCOOH : S = 0.08 : 7.5 : 1 makes it possible to selectively obtain dibenzothiophene sulfone with a 70% yield. The effect of the extractant nature on the level of sulfone extraction from the reaction mixture and on the viability of anaerobic sludge cells that can be used for the subsequent bioconversion of sulfones into hydrogen sulfide has been studied. It is established that, when using oxidized sulfur compounds of ethyl or isopropyl alcohol as an extractant, it is possible to extract sulfone from the organic phase rather efficiently, as well as obtain a 100% bioconversion level of sulfone under anaerobic conditions.