Cyclohexene hydrogenation with molybdenum disulfide catalysts prepared by ex situ decomposition of ammonium thiomolybdate-cetyltrimethylammonium thiomolybdate mixtures

Abstract

Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (ATTM) is treated with cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) using several ATTM/CTAC ratios. Reaction of ATTM with the limiting reagent CTAC gives the carbon-containing compound cetyltrimethylammonium tetrathio-molybdate (CTAT), resulting in different ATTM-CTAT mixtures or precursors which are then decomposed in N-2 at 723 K, yielding mesoporous samples with surface areas of over 260 m(2)/g. Analysis by XRD and electron microscopy correspond to a well dispersed MoS2-2H phase. The activity of the catalysts is tested in a batch reactor for cyclohexene hydrogenation, where those prepared from ATTM-CTAT precursors are up to seven times more active than the catalyst obtained by thermal decomposition of pure ATTM. The enhanced catalytic activity of these catalysts is attributed to a sulfide phase containing structural carbon. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.