Method of reactivating a catalytic composite of a carrier material and a mercaptan oxidation catalyst

A method of reactivating a deactivated mercaptan oxidation catalytic composite comprising an adsorptive carrier material and a metal chelate, said method comprising the steps of first contacting said composite with an aqueous ammoniacal solution of said metal chelate or a different metal chelate and a linear ionic compound having from about 9 to about 24 carbon atoms, and second contacting said composite with an aqueous solution of a quaternary ammonium compound at a temperature of from about 55.degree. C. to about 175.degree. C.