Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for the direct oxidation of sulphur compounds into elemental sulphur and/or into sulphates at a temperature below 200.degree. C., in which a supported catalyst whose catalytically active phase comprises copper is used, the copper element being present in a content of at least 2% by weight relative to the catalyst and of at least 15 by weight relative to the sum of the elements of the catalytically active phase.The use of a catalyst of this type ensures a high conversion of the H.sub.2 S while at the same time minimizing the conversion into SO.sub.2.