Dibenzothiophene is desulfurized under relatively mild conditions by metallic sodium in tetradecane at 150 degrees C in 24 h to give biphenyl in 99% yield after methanol/H2O work up according to GC analysis. Benzothiophene and other cyclic as well as acyclic organosulfur compounds are desulfurized efficiently by lithium or sodium upon heating (254 and 150 degrees C, respectively) in a hydrocarbon solvent.