The present invention is a method for removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon feedstocks and for performing hydrogenation reactions in sulfur-contaminated feedstocks, including the hydrogenation of naphthalene in the presence of sulfur compounds, using catalysts or adsorbents comprising metal oxide nanowires decorated with reduced catalytically-active metal particles. In a preferred embodiment, the adsorbent comprises zinc oxide nanowires decorated with catalytically-active metals selected from nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, platinum, palladium, copper, oxides thereof, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the sulfur is removed through a desulfurization process without an external hydrogen supply. The process is effective for the removal of sulfur from diesel fuels and liquid fuel streams, and for deep desulfurization of natural gas streams. The process is also effective for the selective hydrogenation of naphthalene to tetralin in the presence of sulfur compounds.

There is provided an ammoxidation catalyst for propylene having a structure in which molybdenum (Mo) oxide is supported first, and an oxide of heterogeneous metals including bismuth (Bi) is supported later. Related methods of making and using the catalyst are also provided.