Adsorption of dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) from model diesel fuel (MDF) was investigated on a thermally regenerated wood-based carbon and two polymer-derived carbons. The materials were characterized by thermal analysis, potentiometric titration, elemental analysis, adsorption of nitrogen, and mass spectroscopy. The selectivities of DBT and DMDBT were calculated using naphthalene as a reference. The regenerated carbons were found to be very good adsorbents for the desulfurization of MDF. Although most sulfur-containing compounds were adsorbed in the micropores, where dispersive forces govern the adsorption process, DBT and DMDBT were also retained in the larger pores as a result of acid-base and/or polar interactions. This increases the overall adsorption capacity and selectivity. Moreover, thermal regeneration of carbons containing acidic oxygen groups increases their sulfur content and, thus, the contribution of specific adsorption forces involving sulfur-sulfur interactions in both small and larger pores. A significant quantity of the DBT and DMDBT adsorbed in pores larger than 10 A is oxidized to sulfoxides and sulfones. Sulfur functional groups likely promote this process through oxygen activation.