Oxidative desulfurization using a titanium(IV) catalyst and organohydroperoxides

Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) is an attractive alternative to hydrodesulfurization (HDS) technology due to its lower energy requirement for the removal of refractory sulfur species, such as dibenzothiophene (DBT), from heavier petroleum streams. Diesel containing DBT may be oxidized using a heterogeneous titanium(IV) catalyst and organohydroperoxide oxidant, such as tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), cumyl hydroperoxide (CHP) and/or ethylbenzene hydroperoxide (EBHP), which proves effective for the selective oxidation and removal of refractory sulfur compounds from diesel fuel.