The present work evaluates the effect of ethylene content of a carburization mixture on the formation of carburized rhenium supported on activated carbon. The resulting catalysts were characterized by N2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperatureprogrammed reduction, and the results show a strong effect on the final phase obtained. A high amount of ethylene inhibited the carburization process, resulting in carbon formation, while a lower amount (<= 35 %) of ethylene was favorable to the formation of the carbide phase. The catalysts were evaluated for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of guaiacol, a bio-oil model compound, and a high yield of benzene (50 %), a desirable aromatic compound, was obtained at complete conversion over the catalysts containing the carbide phase.