Abstract: A composition comprising a metal oxide and a promoter, wherein at least a portion of the promoter is present as a reduced valence promoter, and methods of preparing such composition are disclosed. The thus-obtained composition is employed in a desulfurization zone to remove sulfur from a hydrocarbon stream.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the conversion of a lower alkane or a mixture of lower alkanes or a feed containing lower alkane(s) to aromatics or higher hydrocarbons, which comprises (i) treating a bifunctional pentasil zeolite catalyst, optionally containing one or more transition elements, having strong dehydrogenation and acid sites with a mixture of H.sub.2, steam and optionally the presence of an inert gas at a gas hourly space velocity of at least about 500 cm.sup.3 g.sup.-1 h.sup.-1 at a temperature in the range of 400.degree.-800.degree. C. and pressure in the range of 1-5 atm. for a period of at least 0.5 h; (ii) treating the catalyst obtained in step (i) with air or O.sub.2 at a gas hourly space velocity of at least about 200 cm.sup.3 g.sup.-1 h.sup.-1) at a temperature in the range of 400-800.degree. C. and pressure in the range of 1-5 atm for a period of at least 0.