FeS2-Catalyzed Hydrocracking of Di(1-naphthyl)methane. Efffects of Hydrogen Pressure, Catalyst Feed and Reaction Temperature, and Kinetic Study

Abstract

Abstract Hydrocracking of di(1-naphthyl)methane (DNM) in the temperature range of 150–300 °C was studied. In the presence of FeS2 and pressurized hydrogen, DNM hydrocracking took place over 175 °C. FeS2 selectively catalyzed the cleavage of C–C linkage in DNM to give 1-methylnaphthalene and naphthalene. The rate for DNM hydrocracking strongly depended on hydrogen pressure, FeS2 feed and reaction temperature. Kinetic study indicates that DNM hydrocracking in the temperature range of 200–300 °C could be considered as a first order reaction. Under the reaction condition (DNM 7.5 mmol, decalin 30 ml, FeS2 0.5 g, sulfur 0.05 g, initial hydrogen pressure 10 MPa), the activation energy and frequency factor for DNM hydrocracking were 19 kcal mol−1 and 5.3 × 107 h−1, respectively.