Because of the need for an efficient and inexpensive reforming catalyst, the objective of this work is to determine the feasibility of employing Mo2C catalyst for the steam reforming and oxy-steam reforming of the higher hydrocarbons typical of transportation fuels such as gasoline. It is shown that bulk Mo2C catalysts can successfully reform 2,2,4-trimethyl pentane (isooctane) to generate H-2, CO and CO2 at very low steam/carbon ratios, without coke formation, eliminating the need for pre-reforming. Maximum hydrogen generation was observed at a S/C ratio of 1.3 and 1000 degrees C during SR reactions and S/C of 0.71, O-2/C of 0.12 at 900 degrees C during oxidative steam reforming reactions. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.