The effect of Mg and K addition to a Mo2C/HY catalyst for the hydrogenation and ring opening of naphthalene

► Mg added to Mo2C/HY increased Mo2C dispersion without affecting catalyst acidity. ► K added to Mo2C/HY increased Mo2C dispersion but decreased acidity by 30%. ► Mg and K increased naphthalene and coke-precursor hydrogenation. ► Mg and K did not provide optimum acidity for increased ring-opening selectivity.