Hydrodesulphurization of heavy residue was carried out using various catalysts in the presence of co-reactants as the internal sources of hydrogen. Reactions were carried out in a micro autoclave at 320 degrees C and 10 kg f/cm(2) pressure inert atmosphere of N-2 for 3 h reaction time. Tetralin, propane, methanol, ethylene glycol and formic acid were separately used as co-reactants as hydrogen donors. Among the solvents studied, methanol gave the highest hydrodesulphurization yield (52%). The reaction was then carried out in the presence of various catalysts to view the influence of each individual catalyst on the desulphurization yield under the same conditions of pressure and temperature. The catalysts used were Mo-Montmorillonite, Co-Montmorillonite, nickel oxide (NiO), cadmium oxide (CdO), Zn-ZSM5, kaolin and montmorillonite clays. The results show that all the catalysts exhibited desulphurization activity. In case of Mo-Montmorillonite and Co-Montmorillonite charges, the desulfurization yields of 63% and 46% were obtained, respectively. NiO, CdO, Zn-ZSM5, kaolin and montmorillonite clays gave desulphurization yields of 54%, 50%, 56%, 20% and 36%, respectively. The desulphurization activities of Mo-Montmorillonite and Co-Montmorillonite were compared with other catalysts used. The results show that Mo-Montmorillonite gave the highest hydrodesulphurization yield. FTIR studies also confirmed the hydrodesulphurization efficiency of the Mo-Montmorillonite. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.