Autoclave method for hydrothermal preparation of a hydrodesulfurization catalyst

An autoclave method of hydrothermally preparing a CoMoS hydrodesulfurization catalyst, the method comprising:

• mixing a molybdenum precursor, a cobalt precursor, a mercaptoalkyltrialkoxysilane, a structural directing surfactant, an acid, and a solvent to form a reaction mixture;
• hydrothermally treating the reaction mixture in an autoclave at a temperature of 90-120° C. in a single reaction vessel to form a dried mass;
• and
• calcining the dried mass in a reducing atmosphere with an activation gas thereby forming the CoMoS hydrodesulfurization catalyst,
• wherein:
• the activation gas is at least one selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide;
• and
• the CoMoS hydrodesulfurization catalyst is disposed on a support material comprising a mesoporous silica.