The effect of various additive organic reagents on the activation of MoS 3 as molybdenum sulfide catalyst precursor during hydrodesulfurization reaction of dibenzothiophene was studied. It was found that the presence of phenol or 1-naphthol greatly promoted the activity of the catalyst, while tetralin, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene, ethylbenzene, and pyridine reagents were found to be detrimental for the activity of the catalyst.