Solution preparation of the amorphous molybdenum oxysulfide MoOS2 and its use for catalysis

Acid condensation of aqueous MoO2S22- anion yields amorphous MoOS2 oxysulfide. This compound possesses tubular morphology and when freshly precipitated is soluble in polar organics such as acetone and ethanol. The ensemble of characterizations (IR, UV-visible, EXAFS spectroscopy) suggests that it contains cyclic or short linear oligomers of neutral molybdenum (V) oxysulfide MoOS2 core. Thermal decomposition of MoOS2 under inert atmosphere leads to the formation of a mixture of MoO2 and MoS2 phases. Promotion of MoOS2 with cobalt followed by sulfidation leads to highly active HDS catalysts