In this paper, a simple cationic exchange method was proposed to increase the Co/Mo ratio in the Evans-Showell polyoxometalate to the desired 0.5 with both Mo and Co atoms in one molecule. This approach was proved successfully by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyzer. Then, the obtained Evans-Showell-type polyoxometalate was used as a superior precursor to construct efficient hydrodesulfurization catalyst, and the dibenzothiophene evaluation results showed that the hydrodesulfurization reaction turnover frequency, the rate constant, and the dibenzothiophene conversion are 1.8 × 10 À 3 s À 1 , 6.4 × 10 À 7 mol g À 1 s À 1 , and 95.2 %, respectively, illustrating the excellent hydrodesulfurization performance of the catalyst. The cationic exchange approach promises the Mo and Co atoms in one molecule and the desired proximity of them, leading to a higher dispersion of MoS 2 nanoparticles, a higher percent of CoMoS active phase and the excellent hydrodesulfurization performance for dibenzothiophene consequently.