Preparation and characterization of highly active ruthenium sulphide supported catalysts

Ruthenium sulphide catalysts supported on alumina were prepared using different precursor salts [ruthenium (III) chloride trihydrate, ruthenium (III) acetylacetonate and triruthenium dodecacarbonyl] and sulphided under various atmospheres. The properties of the catalysts in thiophene hydrodesulphurization are interpreted in relation to the XPS characterizations. These results show the importance of the sulphidation step in the absence of hydrogen in order to obtain a well sulphided, well dispersed and highly active catalyst.