Abstract: A catalyst containing a non-hydrolyzable halogen component is employed to hydroprocess a hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A catalyst containing a non-hydrolyzable halogen component and an amorphous refractory oxide having controlled pore sizes is employed to hydroprocess a hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A catalyst containing a non-hydrolyzable halogen component is employed to mildly hydrocrack a hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing a metal-containing amorphous magnesia-alumina-aluminum phosphate catalyst support involving the admixture of an organic cation having a size equal to or greater than 2 Angstroms, the organic cation preferably being a tertiary or a tetraalkylammonium or phosphonium cation. The method permits recovery of a catalyst support having a controlled pore size distribution. The invention also relates to an improved catalytic support as well as an improved petroleum residua upgrading process comprising hydrotreating residua in the presence of the improved catalyst support.

Abstract: The process has as an object the regeneration of catalysts containing at least one contaminating metal of the vanadium, nickel and iron group. The operation is conducted as follows:(a) The catalyst (1) is roasted in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas so as to remove at least 90% of the sulfur;(b) The catalyst obtained in step (a) is contacted with a hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution containing at least one organic compound comprising an acidic functional group, so as to remove at least 10% of the deposited metals of the vanadium, nickel and iron group; and(c) The regenerated catalyst (11) is separated from the aqueous solution of metal ions (5). The latter can be regenerated by passage over a complexing resin (6).The process is applicable to the regeneration of used catalysts, particularly to hydrotreatment catalysts in the oil industry.

Abstract: A hydrotreating process comprises contacting a substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, which contains compounds of sulfur and metals (preferably Ni and/or V), in the presence of a fixed catalyst bed comprising at least one layer of substantially spherical alumina-containing particles which have been prepared by heating a specific starting material at about 500.degree.-900.degree. C. for improved crush strength retention. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed catalyst bed further comprises at least one layer (b) of catalyst particles comprising a refractory inorganic carrier and at least one hydrogenation promoter. A fixed catalyst bed comprising layers (a) and (b) is provided.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising a carbon-containing sulfide of molybdenum or tungsten are prepared by contacting, in the presence of sulfur, hydrogen and a hydrocarbon, ammonia and ammonium substituted molybdate, thiomolybdate, tungstate and thiotungstate salts at a temperature of from about 200.degree.-600.degree. C. These catalysts are useful for hydrotreating reactions. In a preferred embodiment, these catalysts will be promoted with certain transition metal sulfides, such as cobalt sulfide, which results in catalysts having greater activity than conventional catalysts such as cobalt-molybdate on alumina.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incorporating an element selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and mixtures thereof, and a heavy metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas at least about 300 m.sup.2 /g, at least about 20% of the pore volume in pores having diameters greater than about 350 .ANG. and at least about 20% of the pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 70 .ANG..

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for converting toxic liquid waste materials containing harmful amounts of biologically difficult to degrade toxic waste materials containing organic halogen compounds, and which also may contain organically bound oxygen, nitrogen and/or sulfur, into an innocuous hydrocarbon stream. These waste materials together with hydrogen are passed over a hydrogenating catalyst at 250.degree.-400.degree. C. and under increased pressure. The effluent of this hydrogenolysis is cooled and separated into a non-toxic liquid hydrocarbon stream, a hydrogen halogenide, ammonia, and/or a hydrogen sulfide containing stream and a gaseous stream of light hydrocarbons and hydrogen. The waste material which contains 0.5-60 weight % halogen and possibly contains up to 10% sulfur and/or small amounts of nitrogen-containing compounds is conditioned and this conditioned stream is passed, together with hydrogen under a prssure of 30-80 bar and with a LHSV of 0.5-2.5 H.sup.

Abstract: A process for the hydrorefining of hydrocarbon feed to reduce the contents of sulfur and nitrogen compounds therein is disclosed which comprises contacting the hydrocarbon feed at elevated temperatures of at least about 150.degree. C. in the presence of hydrogen with a catalyst consisting essentially of mixture of (i) an amorphous sulfide of trivalent chromium and (ii) microcrystallites of metal sulfide of a metal selected from the group consisting of Mo, W and mixture thereof. These compositions have been found to be useful hydrotreating catalysts having nitrogen removal activity superior to that of commercial catalysts derived from cobalt molybdate on alumina.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incoporating an element selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and mixtures thereof, a heavy metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, and a stabilizing amount of phosphorus into an alumina hydrogel. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas at least about 300 m.sup.2 /g, at least about 20% of the pore volume in pores having diameters greater than about 350 .ANG. and at least about 20% of the pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 70 .ANG..

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incorporating an element selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and mixtures thereof, a heavy metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, into a phosphated alumina hydrogel. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas at least about 300 m.sup.2 /g, at least about 20% of the pore volume in pores having diameters greater than about 350 .ANG. and at least about 20% of the pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 70 .ANG..

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a process for upgrading petroleum residua. The process comprises contacting a vacuum or atmospheric resid feed with a metal-containing lanthana-alumina-aluminum phosphate catalyst whereby the resid feedstock is simultaneously demetallized and desulfurized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incorporating an element selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and mixtures thereof, a heavy metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, and a stabilizing amount of phosphorus into an alumina hydrogel. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas at least about 300 m.sup.2 /g, at least about 20% of the pore volume in pores having diameters greater than about 350 .ANG. and at least about 20% of the pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 70 .ANG..

Abstract: A hydrofining process (preferably hydrovisbreaking process) comprises contacting a substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, which contains Ramsbottom carbon residue and materials boiling in excess of about 1000.degree. F. at atmospheric conditions, with a free hydrogen-containing gas and a catalyst composition comprising at least one catechol compound of molybdenum. Preferably the catechol compound of molybdenum is prepared by reaction of a compound comprising molybdenum and oxygen with a catechol compound under non-reducing conditions.

Abstract: Waxy shale oil feeds containing organonitrogen and/or organosulfur components are contacted with a catalyst comprising a Group VIB metal component on a support containing silicalite and a porous refractory oxide under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure and in the presence of hydrogen so as to simultaneously reduce its pour point and its organosulfur and/or organonitrogen content.

Abstract: A process for treating heavy hydrocarbon oil which contains metals and/or sulfur in the presence of a catalyst and recovering a hydrocarbon product having reduced metals and/or sulfur content by employing a metal impregnated mullite catalyst. The impreganted metals are selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, molybdenum and tungsten. The mullite supporting bodies are prepared by calcining bodies of kaolin clay until the clay is converted to mullite and free silica, leaching the resulting bodies of mullite and silica with an alkaline aqueous solution to remove the silica, washing the leached clay bodies to remove alkali ions, and drying.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resid hydrotreating with hydrogen bronze catalyst which unexpectedly achieve superior demetallization compared to large pore CoMo/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 catalyst.

Abstract: Crystalline molecular sieves having three-dimensional microporous framework structure of MO.sub.2, AlO.sub.2, and PO.sub.2 tetrahedral oxide units are disclosed. These molecular sieves have an empirical chemical composition on an anhydrous basis are expressed by the formula:mR: (M.sub.x Al.sub.y P.sub.z)O.sub.2wherein "R" represents at least one organic templating agent present in the intracrystalline pore system; "m" represents the molar amount of "R" present per mole of (M.sub.x Al.sub.y P.sub.z)O.sub.2 ; "M" represents at least two elements capable of forming framework tetrahedral oxides and selected from the group consisting of arsenic, beryllium, boron, chromium, gallium, germanium, lithium and vanadium; and "x", "y" and "z" represent the mole fractions of "M", aluminum and phosphorus, respectively, present as tetrahedral oxides. Their use as adsorbents, catalysts, etc. is disclosed. The catalyst is useful in the cracking and hydrocracking of various hydrocarbonaceous feeds.

Abstract: A hydrotreating process comprises contacting a substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream, which contains compounds of sulfur and metals (preferably Ni and/or V), in the presence of a fixed catalyst bed comprising (a) at least one layer of impregnated substantially spherical alumina-containing particles which have been prepared by a process comprising the steps of impregnating specific starting material with (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4 and then heating the thus impregnated material at about 500.degree.-900.degree. C. for improved crush strength retention. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed catalyst bed further comprises at least one layer (b) of catalyst particles comprising a refractory inorganic carrier and at least one hydrogenation promoter. A composition of matter comprising the impregnated, spherical alumina-containing particles described above, and a process for preparing them are also provided.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising alumina as the major component and silica as a minor component is prepared by a process comprising sequential addition of solutions of aluminum salt and alkali metal aluminate, addition of a solution of alkali metal silicate to dispersed alumina hydrogel and heating formed alumina-silica hydrogel under dehydrating conditions. The thus prepared composition of matter, optionally promoted with at least one transition metal compound, can be used as a catalyst for hydrotreating substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed streams which also contain sulfur and metal compounds as impurities.

Abstract: A process for the removal of hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from a hydrocarbonaceous stream which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the hydrocarbonaceous stream with an adsorbent to remove at least a portion of the hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the hydrocarbonaceous stream to provide a hydrocarbonaceous stream having a reduced concentration of hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds; (b) contacting spent adsorbent which has accumulated the hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the hydrocarbonaceous stream with an elution solvent to remove the hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the spent adsorbent thereby regenerating the adsorbent; (c) recovering at least a portion of the elution solvent from a resulting admixture of elution solvent and hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds recovered from step (b) in an elution solvent recovery zone; (d) contacting the hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds which were recovered from step (c) in the presence

Abstract: A cobalt-molybdenum catalyst and a method for preparing same, said catalyst useful for the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of distillates of petroleum. The catalyst is supported by aluminum phosphate or an aluminum borate. In a preferred embodiment the catalyst has a low cobalt content, between 0.5% and 2.0% by weight calculated as CoO, and a molybdenum content of between 10% and 20% by weight, calculated as MoO.sub.3. The phosphorus or boron compounds added to the aluminum before the impregnation of the active metals prevents the formation of undesirable compounds of the CoAl.sub.2 O.sub.4 type, which is inactive in HDS. It is for that reason that the catalyst has a formulation with 70% less cobalt than the previous state-of-the-art catalysts. Very small crystals, highly dispersed on the surface of the catalyst, whose formula is CoMoO.sub.4, are responsible for the stability and the high level of activity in HDS and HDN which results.

Abstract: A waxy hydrocarbon feedstock is converted into a product hydrocarbon of reduced normal paraffin content by either dewaxing or hydrodewaxing the feedstock in the presence a dewaxing or hydrodewaxing catalyst under conditions such that the normal paraffin content of the feedstock is reduced by selectively converting waxy paraffins into lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the effluent from the dewaxing or hydrodewaxing zone is then passed to a hydrocracking zone where it is contacted with a hydrocracking catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under conditions such that a further reduction in the normal paraffin content is effected. When the desired product is a lube oil base stock, the overall conversion of components in the feed boiling above about 650.degree. F. to components boiling at or below about 650.degree. F.

Abstract: A waxy hydrocarbon feedstock is converted into a high quality lube oil stock of reduced pour point by hydrodewaxing the feedstock in the presence of molecular hydrogen and a hydrodewaxing catalyst under conditions such that the pour point of the feedstock is reduced by selectively converting waxy paraffins into lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the effluent from the hydrodewaxing zone is then passed to a hydrocracking zone where it is contacted with a hydrocracking catalyst under conditions such that a further reduction in pour point is effected and the overall conversion of components boiling above about 650.degree. F. to components boiling at or below about 650.degree. F. in the hydrodewaxing and hydrocracking steps combined is no more than about 20 percent by volume, preferably no more than about 10 percent by volume.

Abstract: Hydroconversion processes utilizing a catalyst prepared from a catalyst precursor concentrate such as phosphomolybdic acid, is provided. The catalyst precursor concentrate is treated at relatively low pressures in a specified manner.

Abstract: A catalyst consisting essentially of a nickel component, a molybdnemum component, a phosphorus component on a heterogeneous support containing alumina matrix is employed to mildly hydrocrack a hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating substantially liquid hydrocarbon containing feed streams (particularly heavy oils) which also contain compounds of nickel, vanadium and sulfur employing a catalyst composition comprising alumina, at least one compound of titanium and at least one compound of molybdenum is prepared either by the steps of impregnating an alumina support material with an aqueous solution of at least one titanium compound, drying, impregnating the Ti-impregnated material with an aqueous solution of at least one molybdenum compound, drying and calcining; or by the steps of impregnating an alumina support material with an aqueous solution of at least one titanium compound and at least one molybdenum compound, drying and calcining.

Abstract: In the catalytic processing of hydrocarbons, a hydrocarbon oil is successively contacted with a particulate catalyst in a first reaction zone and contacted at a higher temperature with a second portion of the particulate catalyst in the same reaction zone or in a second reaction zone.

Abstract: An additive comprising a mixture of at least one decomposable molybdenum compound selected from the group consisting of molybdenum dithiophosphates and molybdenum dithiocarbamates and at least one decomposable nickel compound selected from the group consisting of nickel dithiophosphates and nickel dithiocarbamates is mixed with a hydrocarbon-containing feed stream. The hydrocarbon-containing feed stream containing the additive is then contacted in a hydrofining process with a catalyst composition comprising a support selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica and silica-alumina and a promoter comprising at least one metal selected from Group VIB, Group VIIB and Group VIII of the Periodic Table. The introduction of the inventive additive may be commenced when the catalyst is new, partially deativated or spent with a beneficial result occuring in each case.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a mixture of (i) a sulfide of at least one promoter metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Cu, Zn and mixture thereof and mixtures thereof with Fe, (ii) an amorphous sulfide of trivalent chromium and (iii) microcrystalline of metal sulfide of a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixture thereof. These compositions have been found to be useful hydrotreating catalysts having nitrogen removal activity superior to that of commercial catalysts such as cobalt-molybdate on alumina.

Abstract: A spent hydrotreating catalyst having carbonaceous and metallic deposits comprising generally cylindrical, free flowing particles of regular geometric shape having substantially the same diameter but of varying length is stripped, length graded, density graded using an upward flow of gas through an inclined, vibrating surface, and regenerated to achieve catalyst activity very near that of a fresh catalyst.

Abstract: A slurry hydroconversion process is provided in which a catalyst precursor concentrate comprising an aqueous solution of phosphomolybdic acid and a heavy oil is contacted with hot hydrogen to vaporize the water from the concentrate. The resulting catalyst precursor concentrate is introduced into a hydrocarbonaceous chargestock and the resulting mixture is heated in the presence of added hydrogen to convert the phosphomolybdic acid to a solid molybdenum-containing catalyst. The resulting slurry is subjected to hydroconversion conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incorporating a metals solution containing cobalt and an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, into a phosphated alumina hydrogel support. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas greater than about 300 m.sup.2 /g, flat plate crush strengths greater than about 16 lbs and more than about 80% of their pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 70 .ANG..

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incorporating cobalt and an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, into an alumina hydrogel support. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas greater than about 300 m.sup.2 /g, flat plate crush strengths greater than about 14 lbs and more than about 80% of their pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 70 .ANG..

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing wide port-containing catalysts prepared by incorporating a metals solution containing an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, and an element selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and mixtures thereof, into a phosphated alumina hydrogel support. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas greater than about 300 m.sup.2 /g, crush strengths greater than about 9 lbs and more than about 20% of their pores greater than 150 .ANG..

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incorporating cobalt and an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, into a phosphated alumina hydrogel support. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas greater than about 300 m.sup.2 /g, flat plate crush strengths greater than about 18 lbs and more than about 80% of their pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 70 .ANG..

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incorporating a metals solution containing an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, an element selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and mixtures thereof, and a stabilizing amount of phosphorus into an alumina hydrogel support. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas greater than about 300 m.sup.2 /g, crush strengths greater than about 20 lbs and more than about 80% of their pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 50 .ANG..

Abstract: In a hydrofining process, the life of a catalyst composition comprising a support selected from the group comprising alumina, silica and silica-alumina and a promoter comprising at least one metal selected from Group VIB, Group VIIB, and Group VIII of the periodic table is improved by mixing a decomposable compound of molybdenum with the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream prior to contacting the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream with the catalyst composition. The molybdenum in the decomposable compound is in valence state of zero. A sufficient quantity of the decomposable compound of molybdenum is added to the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream to result in a concentration of molybdenum in the range of about 1 to about 60 ppm. The introduction of the decomposable compound of molybdenum may be commenced when the catalyst is new, partially deactivated or spent with a beneficial result occurring in each case.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incorporating nickel, an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, and a stabilizing amount of phosphorus into a phosphated alumina hydrogel support. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas greater than about 300 m.sup.2 /g, crush strengths greater than about 18 lbs and more than about 80% of their pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 70.ANG..

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing highly active hydrotreating catalysts prepared by incorporating a metals solution containing nickel, an element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and mixtures thereof, and a stabilizing amount of phosphorus into a phosphated alumina hydrogel support. The final calcined catalysts have surface areas greater than about 300 m.sup.2 /g, crush strengths greater than about 18 lbs and more than about 80% of their pore volume in pores having diameters less than about 70 .ANG..

Abstract: The process has as an object the regeneration catalysts containing at least one contaminating metal of the vanadium, nickel and iron group. The operation is conducted as follows:(a) The catalyst (1) is roasted in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas so as to remove at least 90% of the sulfur;(b) The catalyst obtained in step (a) is contacted with a hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution containing at least one organic compound including a polar functional group, so as to remove at least 10% of the deposited metals of the vanadium, nickel and iron group; and(c) The regenerated catalyst (11) is separated from the aqueous solution of metal ions (5). The latter can be regenerated by passage over a complexing resin (6).The process is applicable to the regerneration of used catalysts, particularly to hydrotreatment catalysts in the oil industry.

Abstract: A hydrotreating (hydrovisbreaking) process comprises the step of contacting under suitable reaction conditions (A) a substantially liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream which contains more than 0.1 weight-% Ramsbottom carbon residue, (B) a free hydrogen-containing gas and (C) a catalyst composition comprising alkyl molybdate and/or molybdenum sulfonate.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises (a) alumina, (b) zinc titanate, (c) at least one compound of molybdenum, (d) at least one compound of at least one of nickel and cobalt, and (e) at least one compound containing phosphorus and oxygen. This catalyst composition is used for hydrotreating a liquid hydrocarbon-containing feed stream (such as a heavy oil) which contains compounds of nickel, vanadium and sulfur, under such conditions as to obtain a product having reduced levels of nickel, vanadium and sulfur.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feeds are upgraded by contacting same, at elevated temperature and in the presence of hydrogen, with a self-promoted catalyst prepared by heating one or more water soluble catalyst precursors in a non-oxidizing atmosphere in the presence of sulfur at a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C. The precursors will be one or more compounds of the formula ML(Mo.sub.y W.sub.1-y O.sub.4) wherein M is one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting essentially of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof, wherein O.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1 and wherein L is a nitrogen containing, neutral multidentate, chelating ligand. In a preferred embodiment the ligand L will comprise one or more chelating alkyl di or triamines and the non-oxidizing atmosphere and to form the catalyst will comprise H.sub.2 S.

Abstract: Regeneration of HDS catalysts by sulfiding under controlled conditions and leaching the sulfided catalyst with an acidic aqueous ferric ion containing solution to remove contaminating nickel and vanadium compounds and recovering catalyst of increased BET surface area and pore diameter.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feeds are upgraded by contacting a feed, at elevated temperature and in the presence of hydrogen, with a supported self-promoted catalyst prepared by heating a composite of support material and one or more catalyst precursor salts under oxygen-free conditions and in the presence of sulfur at a temperature of at least about 250.degree. C. The precursor salt or salts will be of the general formula (ML)(Mo.sub.y W.sub.1-y S.sub.4) wherein M comprises one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting essentially of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn and mixtures thereof, wherein y is any value ranging from 0 to 1 and wherein L is one or more neutral, nitrogen-containing ligands at least one of which is a chelating, polydentate ligand.

Abstract: A process for converting heavy petroleum feedstocks to distillate products with reduced metals and asphaltene content by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of at least two metal catalysts, one a known hydrogenation catalyst and the other either zinc, iron or copper.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation and use of supported, manganese sulfide promoted molybdenum and tungsten sulfide catalysts useful for hydroprocessing processes, particularly hydrotreating. These catalysts are prepared by heating a composite of support material and precursor salt under oxygen-free conditions and in the presence of sulfur, wherein said precursor salt contains a thiometallate anion of Mo, W or mixture thereof and a cation comprising one or more promoter metals which are chelated by at least one neutral, nitrogen-containing polydentate ligand, and wherein said promoter metal comprises Mn alone or a mixture of Mn with Co, Ni, Zn, Cu or mixture thereof.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon feeds are upgraded by contacting same, at elevated temperature and in the presence of hydrogen, with a self-promoted catalyst prepared by heating one or more water soluble catalyst precursors in a non-oxidizing atmosphere in the presence of sulfur at a temperature of at least about 200.degree. C. The precursors will be one or more compounds of the formula ML(Mo.sub.y W.sub.1-y O.sub.4) wherein M is one or more promoter metals selected from the group consisting essentially of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and mixtures thereof, wherein O.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1 and wherein L is a nitrogen containing, neutral multidentate, chelating ligand. In a preferred embodiment the ligand L will comprise one or more chelating alkyl di or triamines and the non-oxidizing atmosphere and to form the catalyst will comprise H.sub.2 S.