Additives for gas phase oxidative desulfurization catalysts

A catalytic composition useful in oxidative desulfurization of gaseous, sulfur containing hydrocarbons, said catalytic composition comprising:

• (i) a CuZnAl—O mixed oxide component comprising copper oxide in an amount ranging from 10 weight percent (wt %) to 50 wt % of said CuZnAl—O mixed oxide component, zinc oxide in an amount ranging from 5 wt % to less than 20 wt % of said CuZnAl—O mixed oxide component, and aluminum oxide in an amount ranging from 20 wt % to 70 wt % of said CuZnAl—O mixed oxide component, wherein said catalytic composition has a spinel oxide phase with formula CuxZn1-xAl2O4 wherein x ranges from 0 to 1, dispersed crystalline ZnO and CuO, (ii) at least one zeolite in desilicated H form, selected from the group consisting of HZSM-5, HY, H-mordenite, a desilicated form of MFI, a desilicated form of BEA, a desilicated form of MOR, and a desilicated form of FER, and (iii) one or more oxide promoters.