Photocatalysis of sulfones for the utilization of the oxidized sulfur compounds by oxidative desulfurization of fuel oil

Photocatalysis of dibenzothiophene (DBT) sulfone and benzothiophene (BT) sulfone for the utilization of the oxidized sulfur compounds by oxidative desulfurization of fuel oil have been investigated. Results show that DBT sulfone, when dissolved in 2-propanol and photoirradiated with high-pressure mercury lamp, can be converted completely into biphenyl in 5 h. However, the photoconversion of BT sulfone can be up to 100 % only in 10 min. The reaction conditions, such as the time of N₂ gas bubbled through the solution, distance between the high-pressure mercury lamp and the tube, photoirradiation time and the concentration of sulfones, are all impacted on the photoconversion of DBT sulfone and BT sulfone.