Effective methods are being developed for removal of hydrogen sulphide from the hot coal gas, particularly in the integrated gasification cycle process. A number of solid sorbents are known and further explored in this respect. Metals and their oxides as potential H₂S (and COS) sorbent are reviewed. These sorbents fall into three main groups: solids containing alkaline earth metals (Ca, Ba, Sr), those containing transition metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and Ni), and mixed oxide compounds (e.g. zinc titanates and zinc ferrites).