Green oxidation of coal tar by ionic Liquids: Differences from traditional oxidation and kinetic Investigations

The feasibility of effectively oxidizing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coal tar (CT) to high-value products using five traditional oxidants and the ionic liquid [Et 3 NH] [HSO 4 ] was investigated, and relevant methods were established. The results showed that the oxidation effects of the six oxidants on CT were different. In terms of the yield of target products and the ease of separation, [Et 3 NH][HSO 4 ] performed the best, with a target product yield of 18.72%. Based on the experimental results, several oxidation products were characterized, and the area of characteristic functional groups increased by 200% after oxidation, with the area of characteristic carbon signals accounting for 10%. Further kinetic analysis indicated that the oxidation of PAHs in CT does not conform to first-order kinetics, and its oxidation rate is mainly determined by reaction temperature, time, and the concentration of IL. Moreover, the results showed that there is a maximum yield of target products in the oxidation of CT by IL.