Hydrosulfurization of methanol on Y2O3-TiO2-ZrO2 catalysts

Y2O3-TiO2-ZrO2 catalysts, where the contribution of oxide components ranges from 0 to 100 mol %, have been studied for their catalytic performance in methanol hydrosulfarization. Their activity and selectivity have shown a strong dependence on acid-base properties which, in turn, changed with catalyst composition. High yttria content favors selectivity to methanethiol, while catalysts highly active for the formation of dimethylsulfide were those containing 8 mol % Y2O3. The latter composition, which boosted selectivity to (CH3)(2)S, has created favorable conditions for the generation of acid centers in chemically mixed oxides as concluded on the ground of ESR studies and acidity measurements.