Hydrotreating catalyst and process for its preparation

A process for preparing a composition of matter, useful as a hydrotreating catalyst composition, comprising

• (a) alumina,
• (b) zinc titanate,
• (c) at least one compound of molybdenum,
• (d) at least one compound of nickel, and
• (e) at least one compound containing phosphorus and oxygen, said process comprising the steps of:
• (i) mixing alumina and zinc titanate;
• (ii) impregnating the mixture of alumina and zinc titanate obtained in step (i) with an aqueous solution containing at least one compound of Mo, at least one compound of Ni, and at least one compound containing P and O;
• (iii) drying the thus impregnated mixture obtained in step (ii);
• and
• (iv) calcining the dried mixture obtained in step (iii) under such conditions and at a temperature high enough to at least partially convert said at least one compound of Mo used in step (ii) to at least one oxide of Mo, and said at least one compound of Ni used in step (ii) to at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oxide of Ni and phosphate of Ni.