Conversion of dimethyl disulfide in the presence of zeolites

Dimethyl disulfide conversion in the presence of zeolites was studied at atmospheric pressure and T = 190–350°C. For all catalysts, the products of the reaction at T = 190°C—methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide—result directly from dimethyl disulfide. The relative reaction rate and the dimethyl sulfide selectivity decreases in the order HZSM-5 ≥ CoHZSM-5 > HNaY > NaX, NaY. The methanethiol formation selectivity changes in the reverse order. The highest methanethiol selectivity at T = 190°C is shown by the sodium zeolites; the highest dimethyl sulfide selectivity, by the high-silicz zeolite HZSM-5. Raising the reaction temperature increases the reaction rate and changes the process route: at high temperatures, dimethyl disulfide decomposes to methanethiol, which then condenses to yield dimethyl sulfide and hydrogen sulfide. The observed regularities are explained in terms of the different acidic properties of the zeolite surfaces.