This report describes a series of studies on the following: Mo/titania and Mo/alumina catalysts for thiophene hydrodesulfurization; absorption of metal oxyanion on alumina; particle size effects for Co/silica catalyst for CO hydrogenation; correlation of Mo oxidation states with benzene hydrogenation activity; factor analysis for curve fitting Mo ESCA spectra; and quantitative Raman and ESCA characterization of W/titania catalysts. 27 refs.

The development of efficient catalysts for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) processes is an essential and urgent research field. During oil refinement the removal of sulfur and nitrogen compounds from petroleum feedstock is crucial, as the emission of sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere causes severe environmental problems. In light of the industrial process for hydrocarbons, HDS is indispensable as it eliminates the poisoning of catalysts during hydrotreatment and hydrocracking. In order to develop new catalysts, the mechanism of these reactions as well as the structures and functions of the catalysts need to be elucidated. This book provides an up-to-date and deep insight, which spans kinetic studies, catalytic cycles, structures and properties of catalysts to process engineering. Therefore every chemist and engineer working in this important research field will welcome this valuable source of information.

Research progress to be reviewed here will be in three areas. First, correlation of the distribution of molybdenum oxidation states in reduced Mo/Al2O3 catalysts with benzene hydrogenation activity. Second, the use of factor analysis curve-fitting to determine the distribution of molybdenum oxidation states in reduced Mo/TiO2 catalysts. Third, quantitative Raman and ESCA characterization of W/TiO2 catalysts.