Support effect on conversion of quinoline over ReS₂ catalyst

The conversion of quinoline over ReS₂ supported on γ-Al₂O₃, SiO₂, ZrO₂ and TiO₂ catalysts in a batch reactor at 300°C and 5 MPa of hydrogen pressure was studied. The catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation with a loading of 1.5 atoms of Re per nm2 of support. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The Re(x)/supports catalysts displayed high activities for the conversion of quinoline, although negligible formation of N-free compounds (hydrodenitrogenation) were observed. The intrinsic activities of ReS₂ were modified by the support decreased in the order: Re/TiO₂ > Re/ZrO₂ > Re/SiO₂ > Re/γ-Al₂O₃. The highest activity displayed by the Re/TiO₂ catalyst was correlated with the Re dispersion and formation of ReS₂ species. Meanwhile, the lower conversion of quinoline over the Re/ZrO₂, Re/SiO₂ and Re/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts was related to the combined effect of the textural properties of catalysts and the formation of ReS_(2-x) species on the supports.