Hydrogen sulfide is a common pollutant found in natural gas feedstocks that is a toxic gas and catalyst poison. The state-of-the-art process for removing hydrogen sulfide from “sour” gas, the Claus Process, leaves behind 2-5% of the hydrogen sulfide in the tailgas, necessitating secondary treatment. Existing technologies for this secondary treatment have fundamental limitations. The Wallen group is exploring the use of second-sphere hydrogen bonding to promote selective binding of hydrogen sulfide to late first-row transition metal complexes to inform the design of next-generation Claus tailgas oxidation catalysts. The synthesis of two sulfonamidate ligands, one with a cyclic ether and one with an aryl ether, and their coordination to cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) will be presented with crystallographic and spectroscopic characterization data. The structural and electronic variations in these two ligands and their effects on reactivity with hydrogen sulfide, hydrosulfide, hydroxylamine, hydrazine, and hydroxide will also be discussed.

Effects of altered ligand structure on the coordination of industrially-relevant protic molecules to sulfonamidate metal complexes with second sphere hydrogen bonding

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.