PURPOSE: To obtain methylnaphthalene having low sulfur concentration in high yield by treating an oil containing 1- and/or 2-methylnaphthalene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of molybdenum oxide, thereby oxidizing organic sulfur compound existing in the oil.
CONSTITUTION: Methylnaphthalene having low sulfur concentration is produced by treating an oil containing methylnaphthalene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of molybdenum oxide at 20-150°C for ≥5min, removing water layer and the catalyst and separating from the oil layer by distillation, etc. The molybdenum oxide used as the catalyst is preferably a 6-valent compound (MoO3) and its amount is ≥1wt.% based on the organic sulfur compound existing in the system. The hydrogen peroxide may be hydrogen Na peroxide, etc., and its amount is preferably ≥1.2mol per 1mol of the organic sulfur compound existing in the system. Methylnaphthalene is useful as a raw material for vitamin K3, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, etc.
HOTTA TSUGIO
TANAKA MAKOTO
MATSUURA AKINORI
