The discovery of two new concepts have made it possible to draw the ph
ysico-chemical map of the best alumina Claus catalyst. An optimized pr
ofile of the ultramacroporosity, between 0.1 and 1 mu m, reduces diffu
sional constraints. A low sodium (Na2O) content ( < 2500 ppm) reduces
the sulphation, thus slowing down the deactivation of the catalyst.