Oxidation of petroleum sulphides by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of compounds of metals of varying valency

An important feature of vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum compounds is their proneness to form complexes of different degrees of stability with many substances, including sulphides. Hydrogen peroxide is also a complex-forming compound. A number of researchers believe that, during the oxidation of sulphides, the movement of oxygen to sulphide occurs via a complex of polarized peroxide and sulphide, and therefore compounds of the above metals can be expected to have a catalytic effect on the oxidation of petroleum sulphides to sulphoxides. It is also of interest to study the oxidation of sulphides in the presence of iron compounds. Microimpurities of the latter always accompany petroleum distillates on account of corrosion of piping and equipment.