The surface area of unsupported MoS2 catalysts prepared by thiosalt decomposition is found to increase after undergoing a treatment known as chemical exfoliation. Rate measurements of dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization in a batch reactor show that activity decreases for the chemically modified MoS2 catalysts, along with the hydrogenation/hydrodesulfurization ratios (HYD/HDS). These results indicate that both basal and edge planes of the layered sulfides are rearranged by the exfoliation treatment, but that other processes must also be involved. Reference crystalline MoS2 is also discussed in the work.