This work reports the enhancing effect of a highly cost effective and efficient metal

Fe

incorporation to Co or Ni based Mo/Al

2

O

3

catalysts in the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) using H

2

O

2

and formic acid as oxidants. The influence of operating parameters i.e. reaction time

catalyst dose

reaction temperature and oxidant amount on oxidation process was investigated. Results revealed that 99% DBT conversion was achieved at 60℃ and 150 min reaction time over Fe-Ni-Mo/Al

2

O

3

. Fe tremendously enhanced the ODS activity of Co or Ni based Mo/Al

2

O

3

catalysts following the activity order:Fe-Ni-Mo/Al

2

O

3

Fe-Co-Mo/Al

2

O

3

Ni-Mo/Al

2

O

3

Co-Mo/Al

2

O

3

while H

2

O

2

exhibited higher oxidation activity than formic acid over all catalyst systems. Insight about the surface morphology and textural properties of fresh and spent catalysts were achieved using scanning electron

microscopy (SEM)

X-ray diffraction (XRD)

energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and BET surface area analysis

which helped in the interpretation of experimental data. The present study can be deemed as an effective approach on industrial level for ODS of fuel oils crediting to its high efficiency

low process/catalyst cost

safety and mild operating condition.