A Si-MCM-41-type material was synthesized and impregnated with a Mo solution in order to get a 15% MoO3 by weight. Then, it was doubly promoted with Ni and Fe in different proportions. Information on the structure of the precursors was revealed by XRD, TPR and surface area techniques. XRD results showed that the mesoporous materials were not affected for the successive impregnations carried out; while, their specific surface areas was partially blocked. These solids were tested for vanadyl octaethyl porphyrin hydrodeporphirinization (HDP), and individual and competitive reactions of dibenzothiophene (DBT) hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and 2-methyl naphthalene (2MN) hydrogenation (HYD). The DBT HDS activity was higher than 2MN HYD, and the presence of Fe in the catalysts did not produce a synergetic effect for this reactions. However, HDP activities of doubly promoted catalysts were superior to the monopromoted ones. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.