The efficient conversion of H2S into mercaptan alcohols mediated in
protic ionic liquids under mild condition
Abstract
The resource utilization of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important and
promising topic in energy chemical engineering. The previous products
developed in our group through H2S conversion are sulfur or mercaptan
acids. Alternative way to convert H2S is still desirable. Herein, we
developed a green and mild method to convert H2S into mercaptan alcohols
by the addition reaction with epoxide mediated in tertiary
amine-functionalized protic ionic liquids (PILs). Reaction kinetics,
substrate scope, and regeneration experiment have all been explored.
Almost quantitative conversion of substrates was realized with catalytic
loading of PILs at 30 C. Water extraction was used to recycle the
catalysts from the reaction system. It is believed that the excellent
results, together with its operational simplicity and the ability to
successively reuse the catalyst, make this new methodology
environmentally benign and cost-effective. The generality of the H2S
resource methodology gives it potential for application on an industrial
scale.