Zeolite-supported hydrodesulfurization catalysts prepared by ion exchange with Mo and Mosingle bondNi sulfide clusters Original Research Article

Zeolites NaY, HUSY and KL were ion-exchanged with a cationic molybdenum sulfide cluster [Mo3S4(H2O)9]4+ with incomplete cubane-type structure and a cationic nickel-molybdenum mixed sulfide cluster [Mo3NiS4Cl(H2O)9]3+ with complete cubane-type structure. The UV-visible spectra and EXAFS analysis data exhibited that the structure of the molybdenum cluster was maintained after ion exchange. These zeolite catalysts showed activity for benzothiophene hydrodesulfurization; especially, involvement of Ni resulted in great enhancement of the hydrodesulfurization activity.