Factors affecting the plasma oxidative desulfurization of organic sulfides in the liquid phase were investigated. The organic sulfides, including mercaptan, thioether, and thiophene, are mixed with n-heptane severally or jointly. The plasma power load, i.e., the ratio of oxygen flow to plasma power, and the reaction time are the primary factors affecting the desulfurization reaction when the reaction temperature was controlled at about -85 degreesC. Under suitable conditions, the degree of desulfurization for mercaptan, thioether, thiophene, and/or their mixtures can exceed 99%, 80%, 79%, and 88%, respectively. On the basis of the conception that the electron energy function f(epsilon) and the molar ratio of the reactants R control the reaction rate and the product composition, a kinetic model was developed to describe the plasma oxidative desulfurization reaction in the liquid phase using macroscopic test parameters. The good agreement of the calculated results with the experimental data indicates that the plasma reaction in the liquid phase is essentially the gaseous reaction occurring under special conditions. The normal viewpoint that the reaction takes place between energetic electrons and the surface molecule of the liquid may be incorrect. The reaction mechanism for plasma oxidative desulfurization of mercaptan, thioether, and thiophene in the liquid phase is discussed.