Novel aqueous chelating agents for catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur by air

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hua, Guoxiong | Zhang, Qingzhi | Mcmanus, Derek | Slawin, Alex M. Z. | Derek Woollins, J.

Affiliations: School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, UK | US Filter Corporation, Inc., Plainfield, IL 60544, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Six phosphorus-containing analogues of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) or ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid (EDTA) form stable Fe(III) complexes which have been tested as catalysts for the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide. Ligand 4, phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid (NTAP), was found to be comparable with NTA in efficiency of catalytic activity such as the conversion of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur, half-life of ligand, consumption of ligand per kg of sulfur product. A quantitative analytical method of phosphorus-containing ligand in the absorbed solution has been successfully established by applying 31P-{1H} NMR.

Keywords: Iron chelates, Hydrogen sulfide, Sulfur, Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), Phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid (NTAP), Cyclic voltammogram, Catalytic oxidation

DOI: 10.1080/10241220500349644

Journal: Main Group Chemistry, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 157-175, 2005