Unsupported MoS2 and CoMoS2 catalysts for hydrodeoxygenation of phenol

► Activity and selectivity of MoS2 catalysts for phenol HDO strongly depends on structure and promoter. ► Molybdenum-sulfur bond strength of MoS-A is weaker than that of MoS-C. ► HYD pathway was favored over crystalline catalysts with high stacking of MoS2 slabs. ► Co addition decreased the Mo-S-Co bond strength causing the increasing activity. ► High activity observed with CoMoS-A was due to the increase in DDO rate.