Selective sorbents for purification of hydrocartons

Abstract

A method for removing thiophene and thiophene com pounds from liquid fuel includes contacting the liquid fuel With an adsorbent Which preferentially adsorbs the thiophene and thiophene compounds. The adsorption takes place at a selected temperature and pressure, thereby pro ducing a non-adsorbed component and a thiophene/ thiophene compound-rich adsorbed component. The adsor bent includes either a metal or a metal ion that is adapted to form Jt-complexation bonds With the thiophene and/or thiophene compounds, and the preferential adsorption occurs by J't-complexation. A further method includes selec tive removal of aromatic compounds from a mixture of aromatic and aliphatic compounds.