Catalyst MoO3/gamma-Al2O3 was prepared by the reaction of alpha-boehmite with molybdic acid in slurry MoO3/H2O followed by calcination. The deposited MoO3 functioned as thermal stabilizer and inhibited sintering Of Al2O3 phase during calcination. After calcination at 550 and 650 degrees C the surface area of Al2O3 obtained from alpha-boehmite was 207 and 172 m(2) g(-1), respectively, and of MoO3/Al2O3 obtained from MoO3/alpha-boehmite was 323 and 285 m(2) g(-1), respectively. On the other hand, molybdic acid did not work as peptization agent and the mechanical strength Of MoO3/Al2O3 was not higher than that of Al2O3. The catalyst was sulfided and its activity in thiophene hydrodesulfurization was tested; it exhibited about the same activity as reference industrial MoO3/Al2O3 catalyst.