The science on the preparation of the hydrodesulfurization oxidic precursors is coming of age, but the chemistry governing their preparation is not yet clearly understood. In this paper, the chemistry of alumina supported oxomolybdate preparation is revisited taking into account the dissolution/precipitation concept recently developed. Classical preparations with the ammonium heptamolybdate and Co nitrate salts will firstly be discussed. Then the use of new starting materials for the preparation of the impregnating solutions will be considered, showing that at high Mo loading the dispersion is strongly dependant on the nature of the starting salts. The use of phosphomolybdate cobalt salts will also be considered. Lastly we will discuss the improvement of the Co promoting effect using molybdocobaltate heteropolyanions as starting materials and complexing agents. This study shows that the maturation step is the determining step for the improvement of preparation of these alumina based oxidic precursor. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.