Ultra‐Deep Oxidative Desulfurization of Model Oil Catalyzed by In Situ Carbon‐Supported Vanadium Oxides Using Cumene Hydroperoxide as Oxidant

A series of novel dispersed V 2 O 5 @Carbon composites, in which vanadium existed not only on the surface of carbon, but also in the matrix, were synthesized in situ from ammonium metavanadate (NH 4 VO 3 ) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA‐2Na). The structures and properties of prepared catalysts were characterized by diverse techniques. An efficient process for catalytic oxidative desulfurization with V 2 O 5 @Carbon and cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) was investigated. V 2 O 5 @Carbons is superior to the physically supported catalysts in reusability and stability. Results show that 99.8 % sulfur in fuel can be removed and the catalyst can be recycled 7 times with no significant decrease in the desulfurization efficiency. A possible reaction mechanism is proposed, in which V(V)=O was oxidized to peroxo compounds (V(O) 2 ) by CHP along with forming the 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol. The V(O) 2 further cleaved to form electrophilic reactive V IV ‐O‐O . species which could oxidize sulfur compounds to corresponding sulfones.