Hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and its hydrogenated intermediates over bulk CoP and Co2P catalysts with stoichiometric P/Co ratios

•CoP and Co2P were prepared with stoichiometric P/Co ratios.•Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reactions over CoP and Co2P followed different kinetics.•CoP was much more active and more nitrogen-tolerant than Co2P.•The network of the HDS of dibenzothiophene over CoP and Co2P was determined.•The cobalt phosphosulfide phases were formed in the HDS reactions.