Overdependence
of energy consumption around fossil fuels is threatening
our environment from different anthropogenic emissions of pollutants.
These pollutants (CO
x
, NO
x
, and SO
x
) resulting
from combustion activities of crude oil and petroleum products are
life-threatening. Desulfurization of fuels is an important matter
that constantly requires attention from the relevant stakeholders
for environmental, economic, and social benefits. Hydrodesulfurization
required to lower the sulfur content in the crude oil comes at high
operating conditions and cost, especially toward achieving ultradeep
desulfurization of <10 or 0 ppm as required for fuel cell catalytic
converters. In the recent decades, oxidative desulfurization (ODS)
is gaining fast interest among the few alternatives proposed as a
complementary approach. This paper reviews the current advances in
the metal-free catalytic ODS owing to the effectiveness and promising
results in the light of safety, cost, and environmental concerns compared
to conventional metal-containing catalytic ODS strategies. Special
contributions related to graphitic materials, nitrides, carbides,
ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and porous organic polymers
with respect to the broad classification of organic, inorganic, and
hybrid (organic–inorganic) metal-free catalysts and their mechanism
of catalyzing the oxidation process are thoroughly reviewed. The challenges,
improvements, merits, and future prospects are discussed in the context
of industrial feasibility for strategic plans and further studies.