In the study of a series of NiMo catalysts incorporated on alumina modified with sodium and magnesium ions, decomposition of isopropyl or diacetone alcohol and ethylbenzene were used as model reactions. Hydrofining of coal liquid was performed at the pressure of 9.0 MPa and at 400 degrees C. Modification of alumina with sodium and magnesium ions leads to a decrease in the acidity of nickel-molybdenum catalysts, and by the same token increases their basicity. Another effect of modification with sodium, and magnesium ions is dehydrogenation of catalysts. Introduction of sodium ions results in a distinct decrease of hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodesulfurization activity. On the other hand, magnesium ions decrease the hydrodenitrogenation activity, and insignificantly decrease the hydrodesulfurization activity of catalysts.