Supported carbon-containing molybdenum and tungsten sulfide catalysts their preparation and use

A process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed which comprises contacting said feed at hydrotreating conditions with a supported carbon-containing molybdenum sulfide and tungsten sulfide hydrotreating catalysts formed by the steps comprising

• compositing a preselected quantity of a porous, refractory inorganic oxide with a salt characterized by the formula
• B.sub.x [MO.sub.y S.sub.4-y ]
• where B is an organo or hydrocarbyl substituted diammonium ion, an organo or hydrocarbyl substituted ammonium ion or quaternary ammonium ion, or an ionic form of a cyclic amine containing one or more basic N atoms, x is 1 where B is an organo or hydrocarbyl substituted diammonium ion, or 2 where B is an organo or hydrocarbyl substituted ammonium or quaternary ammonium ion or ionic form of a cyclic amine containing one or more basic N atoms, M is molybdenum or tungsten, and y is 0, or a fraction or whole number ranging up to 3, and
• heat decomposing the salt of said catalyst precursor composite in the presence of hydrogen, hydrocarbon and sulfur to form said supported carbon-containing molybdenum sulfide or tungsten sulfide hydrotreating catalyst.