Two activated carbons (GAC and CGran Norit) were used as supports to prepare Re/C catalysts (0.4 atoms of Re per nm(2) of support). In addition, Re(x)/GAC catalysts with loadings of 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8 atoms of Re per nm(2) of support were prepared. The activity difference between Re(0.4)/CGran and Re(0.4)/GAC catalysts was related to the amount of surface oxygen functional groups on the support that is resistant to sulfidation. Meanwhile, the activity of the Re(x)/GAC catalysts as a function of Re content was correlated with ReS2 dispersion; the most active catalyst was the one with Re loading of 0.6 atoms per nm(2) of support. On the other hand, the selectivity, expressed in terms of the phenol/catechol ratio, did not change with Re loading but was rather mainly influenced by the acid strength of the support. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.