High surface area MoO/MgO: preparation by the new slurry impregnation method and activity in sulphided state in hydrodesulphurization of benzothiophene
High surface area MoO2/MgO was prepared by the reaction of MgO (250–300 m2 g−1) with a slurry of ammonium heptamolybdate in methanol or anhydrous ethanol at the alcohol boiling point. The low solubility of ammonium heptamolybdate was sufficient for its gradual transport to the support surface: molybdena species were deposited and ammonia was evolved. Catalytic activities in the hydrodesulphurization of benzothiophene of the MoO3/MgO samples were comparable to the activity of the reference commercial MoO3/Al2O3 catalyst.