In FCC gasolines, thiophenic compounds alkylation with olefins of the feed followed by distillation of heavy sulfur compounds is a good alternative to classical hydrodesulfurization to eliminate sulfur. Among several acidic catalysts, silica-supported H3PW12O40 center dot 6H(2)O (HPW) has been found to be the best catalyst for the alkylation of 3-methylthiophene (3MT) with 2-methyl-2-butene (2M2B) taken as a model reaction in heterogeneous liquid phase systems at 358 K under nitrogen. The preparation of this catalyst has been optimized for this reaction and continuous catalytic tests have proved that this solid was very Promising compared to traditional supported phosphoric acid or zeolites previously tested and used in industrial processes. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.