The use of one or more alkali metals, preferably sodium, to remove sulfur from hydrocarbon streams containing up to about 100 wppm sulfur. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a reactor where it is contacted with one or more alkali metals. The treated hydrocarbon stream is then subjected to a water wash thereby resulting in an aqueous phase fraction and a hydrocarbon phase fraction. The aqueous phase fraction, which is separated from the hydrocarbon phase fraction contains water-soluble sodium moieties.