Synthesis of Dibenzyl Thioether using H2S and Anion Exchange Resin as Triphase Catalyst

Abstract

This study focuses on the utilization of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) for the synthesis of Dibenzyl Sulphide (DBS) and Benzyl Mercaptan (BM). This involves first the absorption of H2S in mono Ethanolamine and then reaction of this H2S rich mono Ethanolamine with Benzyl Chloride for the synthesis of DBS and BM. The mono Ethanolamine and Benzyl Chloride are two different phases and their reaction is very difficult. So to carry out this reaction a phase transfer catalyst has been used. The Amberlite IR400 has been chosen as the phase transfer catalyst as it is solid and can be reused. The objective of this work is to maximize the conversion of Benzyl Chloride and maximize the selectivity of DBS. In this work the Benzyl Chloride has been used along with Toluene as a solvent. In the system under study, conversion of maximum of 90% was obtained and the desired product was obtained with 46% selectivity. Reaction time, catalyst loading, stirring speed, initial sulphide concentration and Benzyl Chloride concentration are chosen as parameters.