Here, we show that a new niobium oxyhydroxide, NbO2OH, can be synthesized and modified with a surfactant to be used as a heterogeneous catalyst for oxidative desulphurization. The material was treated with hydrogen peroxide to generate oxidizing groups (peroxo species) on the surface. Furthermore, this material was converted to a family of solid catalysts that can stabilize water/oil emulsions and catalyze reactions at the liquid/liquid interface by anchoring a surfactant to the catalyst. The material was then able to efficiently remove a sulfurous compound under mild conditions. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.