Abstract: Molybdenum disulfide with the specific surface area of 108 m2/g and pore size distribution of 4-12 nm was prepared by decomposition of tetramethylammonium thiomolybdate, which was synthesized at room temperature in an aqueous solution of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate or tetramethylammonium chlo ride. The high-surface-area MoS2 possessed high catalytic activity and hig h selectivity for 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline in the selective hydrogenation of quinoline, being similar to those of noble metal catalysts.

Key words: ammonium tetrathiomolybdate, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium thiomolybdate, molybdenum disulfide, quinoline, selective hydrogenation