Preparation of the mixed sulfide Nb2Mo3S10 catalyst from the mixed oxide precursor

Mixed sulfide Nb2Mo3S10 was obtained by reaction of H2S with the mixed oxid e Nb2Mo3O14 at 873 K. High-resolution electron microscopy and X-ray diffrac tion show the formation of homogeneous lamellar mixed sulfide. Due to the i ncreased lability of oxygen, the sulfidation of the mixed oxide is easier c ompared to that of Nb2O5 oxide. As follows from the characterization of tra nsient solid products, the transformation from the oxide to the sulfide inc ludes the intermediate formation of a partially reduced "bronze" compound. For the thiophene hydrodesulfurization model reaction, the catalytic proper ties of Nb2Mo3S10 mixed sulfide are intermediate between those of the indiv idual MS2 sulfides (M=Mo, Nb), but closer to those of the Nb compound.