Catalytic desulfurization of condensed thiophenes by means of methanol

Abstract
Desulfurization of dibenzothiophene, two methyldibenzothiophenes, and phenanthro[4,5‐bcd]‐thiophene to give 60‐80% yields of hydrocarbon products was effected by means of a sulfided molydena catalyst plus methanol at 450° and a pressure of ca. one atmosphere. The methanol functions both as an in situ hydrogen donor and as a methylating agent.