This research deals with the application of electrochemistry to purification processes. The specific purification to be studied is the removal of low concentrations of hetercyclic pollutants from hydrocarbon fuels. A fundamental study will be performed on the reversible complexation reactions between organosulfur and organonitrogen compounds with Fe(II) complex ions. These complexation reactions will be reversed via electrochemical oxidation to Fe(III). The purification processes will be investigated by attempting to remove representative compounds from iso-octane solutions. Iron (bivalent) porphyrins will be used as the complexing agents in the electrolytic processes. The research will advance knowledge on porphyrin chemistry and electrochemistry, and would also result in applications of electrochemistry to purification processes.
