Abstract: The effect of solvent on the removal of nitrogen-compounds from petroleum fractions by complexation reaction was investigated. A series of representative metal salt complexing agents and model compounds were selected for complexing reaction. The effects of metal salts on removal of nitrogen compounds by complexing in different solvents were studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the solvent effect was significant on the removal of basic nitrogen compounds by metal complexation for some of the metal salts. The ethanol could promote the dissolution of the salts and dissociation of ions, helpful to remove out the basic nitrogen compounds by Fe2 (SO4)3, ZnSO4, CuSO4, NiSO4 and PdCl2. Toluene and ethanol improved the removal efficiency of basic nitrogen compounds for CuCl2. However, the solvent effect on the removal of basic nitrogen compounds by ZnCl2 was inconspicuous. The side reaction was occurred during the process of denitrogenation by FeCl3 in ethanol, forming by-products including chlorinated aromatics and polymers.

Key words: nitrogen compounds, complexation denitrogenation, GC-MS, solvent effect