Abstract: The invention relates to a selective desulphurisation method for thiophene derivatives contained in the hydrocarbons emitted from the distillation of crude oil, refined or not, consisting in oxidising the atoms of thiophene sulphur in sulphone in the presence of an oxidising agent and separating the sulphonated compounds from said hydrocarbons. This inventive method comprises at least one first stage involving the oxidation/absorption by heterogeneous catalysis of the sulphurous compounds in an organic environment, at a temperature of at least 40?C, at atmospheric pressure in the presence of an organic oxidiser from the family of peroxides and peracids, in the presence of a catalyst having a specific surface area greater than 100 m2/g and a porosity varying from 0.2 to 4 ml/g, and a second stage wherein the used catalyst is regenerated.

Abstract: A catalytic support includes a substantial quantity of at least one SVI group Periodic Table metal oxide in which is incorporated silica. The mass ratio between the quantity of SVI group metal oxide and the quantity of silica it contains ranges between 5 and 70, the SVI group metal oxide is in crystalline form, and the specific surface of the support is greater than or equal to 160 m2/g.