A series of molybdenum carbides were synthesized using the non-routine carbon source C_ 3 H_ 8 with oxide and nitride as precursors and characterized by XRD, SEM and elemental analysis. The catalytic activity measurements of the as-prepared bulk and amorphous SiO_ 2 supported catalysts for thiophene HDS were carried out in a pulse microreactor-gas chromatography and their apparent activation energy was calculated. β-Mo_ 2 C was proved to be the most active phase, the Ea value of which was reduced by being supported on SiO_ 2 .
