Efficient Hydrogen Sulfide Separation from Carbon Dioxide Achieved by Carbonyl‐Functionalized Ionic Liquids for Natural Gas Upgrading

M Mingzhen Shi (State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P.R. China) G Guoao Li (State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of Ministry of Education, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210093,) H Hangzhi Wu (State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P.R. China) H Hailong Ning H Hongchao Lan (State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P.R. China) X Xiaomin Zhang (State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials)) S Shuhua Li Y Youting Wu (Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China)

Abstract

Abstract Natural gas upgrading requires efficient separation of H 2 S from CO 2 , another acidic impurity, to enhance gas utilization efficiency and enable resource recovery from waste streams. While significant advancements have been achieved in separating H 2 S from CH 4 , the selective removal of H 2 S from CO 2 remains a formidable challenge due to their similar physicochemical properties. Herein, we report a breakthrough strategy utilizing reversible nucleophilic addition reaction between carbonyl group and H 2 S, departing from conventional acid‐base interaction‐based liquid‐phase capture processes. Through comprehensive characterization using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, we confirmed the formation of nucleophilic addition products between the designed carbonyl‐functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) and H 2 S. Dispersion‐corrected DFT calculations revealed that the nucleophilic addition products facilitate secondary H 2 S capture through two distinct approaches: 1) conformational matching and 2) dissociation of H 2 S into [HS]⁻ species. The unique cascade H 2 S sorption mechanism demonstrates exceptional affinity for H 2 S, endowing the [6ca]‐derived ILs with unprecedented high H 2 S capacities and record‐breaking H 2 S/CO 2 selectivities (67–89 at 1.0 bar and 229–319 at 0.1 bar), surpassing previously reported values. Combined with energy‐efficient regeneration cycles, these findings establish a new paradigm for H 2 S/CO 2 separation with significant potential for natural gas valorization.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 37
Published September 08, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

M

Mingzhen Shi

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P.R. China

G

Guoao Li

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of Ministry of Education, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210093,

H

Hangzhi Wu

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P.R. China

H

Hailong Ning

H

Hongchao Lan

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P.R. China

X

Xiaomin Zhang

State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials)

S

Shuhua Li

Y

Youting Wu

Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 China