Hydrogen transfer in transformations of olefin and thiophene compounds for the refining of gasoline fractions

Hydrogen transfer reactions in the transformations of mixtures of model hydrocarbons (hydrogen donors and acceptors) on zeolite catalysts were studied. Hydrogen donors were represented by various classes of hydrocarbons, and acceptors—by unsaturated (olefin) and thiophene compounds. The [H]-donor activity series of hydrocarbons was revealed. Strong differences in the transformation pathways of 1-hexene and 1-octene under the conditions of catalytic refining were demonstrated. A new method for the refining of low-rank gasoline fractions was proposed. The method is based on the hydrogen transfer reactions between hydrogen donor hydrocarbons and hydrogen acceptor hydrocarbons, which proceed without molecular hydrogen. The proposed method allows the simultaneous removal of sulfur (more than 95%) and unsaturated (more than 90%) compounds. [Display omitted] •A new method for the refining of gasolines based on the hydrogen transfer reactions•Reduction of the sulfur and olefin content in low-rank gasoline fractions•Transformations of olefin and thiophene compounds on zeolite-containing catalysts•Different hydrocarbons as hydrogen donors