Oxidation of mercaptans to organic disulfides

Abstract

A process useful for producing an organic disulfide is disclosed. The process can include contacting mercaptans with a solid catalyst selected from the group consisting of a Group IIA metal oxide; 2) an alumina material consisting essentially of alumina; 3) an impregnated alumina impregnated with a metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, nickel and combinations of any two or more thereof; 4) an acidic ion-exchange resin; 5) a basic ion-exchange resin; and 6) combinations of any two or more thereof; in the presence of sulfur dioxide and in the substantial absence of a liquid oxidation catalyst to thereby produce organic disulfides. Alternatively, the process can include contacting mercaptans with a solid catalyst selected from the group consisting of 1) a Group IIA metal oxide; 2) alumina; 3) an impregnated alumina impregnated with a metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, nickel and combinations of any two or more thereof; 4) an acidic ion-exchange resin; 5) a basic ion-exchange resin; and 6) combinations of any two or more thereof; in the presence of sulfur dioxide, in the presence of an oxygenated hydrocarbon, and, optionally, in the substantial absence of a liquid oxidation catalyst, to thereby produce organic disulfides.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.