Oxidative Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophene Catalyzed by Ionic Liquid [BMIm]HSO4

An acidic ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([BMIm]HSO4) was applied as extractant and catalyst for the oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophenes (DBT) in the presence of H2O2 in model oil. Several parameters, e.g., catalyst amount, hydrogen peroxide quantity, reaction time, and temperature, were investigated in detail. The catalytic oxidative desulfurization rate can reach 100% for DBT in model oil. The ionic liquid [BMIm]HSO4 can be recycled 5 times with only a slight reduction in activity.