NOVELTY - An adsorbent composition comprises at least one element selected from group 3d and group VIII of the Periodic Table; promoter selected from at least one element of group from 3d, IB, IIB and IA impregnated or co-precipitated on a support containing an element selected from group IIIA or IVA.    USE - In the removal of sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon fuels (claimed) e.g. transportation fuel such as gasoline, kerosene/jet fuel and diesel; for fuel cell applications; for deep desulfurization of liquid hydrocarbon fuels to meet environmental concerns as well as to produce ultra-low sulfur fuels for fuel cell applications; for the removal of sulfur from fuels having boiling point of 10-360degreesC by passing through a column containing sulfur selective sorbent; for the regeneration of sorbent in a single step using hydrogen at elevated temperature or in two steps, first by oxidation followed by reduction for reuse of sorbent. The sulfur compound includes organic sulfides, disulfides, mercaptans, thiophene, benzothiophenes, dibenzothiophenes and their derivatives.    ADVANTAGE - The composition is new, cost-effective, sorbent; has high sorption area and exhibits high sorption capacity and reversibility for sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon fuels; provide an improved, stable adsorbent in powder, pellet or bead form for selective removal of sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon fuels. The composition provides sulfur removal at near ambient temperature and pressure, and does not require direct contact of hydrogen, like catalytic hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process; produces ultra pure fuels suitable for use in fuel cell systems on-site or on-board; easily regenerates spent sorbent; no octane loss when used to treat gasoline; selective sorption of sulfur compounds which is either used as an independent process at non-refinery locations or with the hydrodesulfurization of the concentrated sulfur fraction as an integrated process.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) preparation (M1) of the adsorbent involves: impregnation and/or co-precipitation of the nickel, and at least one silver, gold, lithium, barium and strontium precursors over an alumina support; and    (2) removal (M2) of sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon fuels involving: providing the sorbent comprising at least one element selected from group 3d and group VIII of the Periodic Table, and the promoter; activating the adsorbent with hydrogen; passing a hydrocarbon feed containing total sulfur not greater than 2000 ppmw; and regenerating the adsorbent for reuse.