Liquid phase oxidation of thiophene compounds by tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Oxidative instability problems in both shale and petroleum-derived middle distillate fuels are related to the presence of hydroperoxides. Although a good body of knowledge exists concerning the formation of peroxides in the liquid phase, relatively little is known about the reaction/decomposition pathways when other functional groups are present. One of the significant and undesirable problems is the formation of solid deposits which can plug nozzles and filters and coal heat exchanger surfaces. Deposit formation in fuels is triggered by autoxidation reactions and is closely associated with elemental oxygen and/or hydroperoxide concentration. This paper reports on the reaction between a primary autoxidation product, a hydroperoxide, and sulfur compounds of the type present in petroleum-derived middle distillate fuels. Specifically, we examine the t-butyl hydroperoxide oxidation of thiophene, 2, 5-dimethylthiophene, tetrahydrothiophene and benzothiophene in a deaerated model fuel, tetradecane, at 120{degree}C.