MoO3 and NiO were supported on KIT-1, a new disordered mesoporous molecular sieve. MoO3 is homogeneously dispersed as a monolayer on the support, whereas NiO tends to form small crystallites in the mesoporous channels. KIT-1 supported MoO3 and/or NiO catalysts exhibit higher catalytic activities for thiophene hydrodesulfurization than similar MCM-41 and NaY zeolite supported catalysts, because the three dimensional disordered network of short channels in KIT-1 reduces the risk of blockage in the catalysts and facilitates the transport of reactant and product molecules.

Key words: CATALYST, NICKEL, HYDRODESULFURIZATION, MOLECULAR SIEVE, MOLYBDENUM, THIOPHENE, CATALYTIC ACTIVITY