Naturally occurring dibenzothiophenes

Under the usual commercial hydrodesulfurization conditions (elevated temperatures and pressures, high hydrogen-to-feedstock ratios, and the presence of a catalyst), the various reactions that result in the removal of sulfur from the organic feedstock (Table 4-3) occur. Thus, thiols as well as open chain and cyclic sulfides are converted to saturated and/or aromatic compounds depending, of course, on the nature of the particular sulfur compound involved. Benzothio-phenes are converted to alkyl aromatics, while dibenzothiophenes are usually converted to biphenyl derivatives. In fact, the major reactions that occur as part of the hydrodesulfurization process involve carbon-sulfur bond rupture and saturation of the reactive fragments (as well as saturation of olefins). 

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