By modifying the H beta zeolite with proper amount HF, the catalytic performance of fluorinated H beta was obviously improved for the olefin alkylation thiophenic sulfur process. Particularly, the acid sites of the fluorinated H beta catalysts were increased, especially its distribution of medium and stronger Lewis and Bronsted acid sites was optimized, and its thiophene alkylation activity and stability are thus promoted as well as its coking behavior is suppressed during OATS process. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.