The molecular designed dispersion method is used to prepare supported transition metal oxide catalysts (Mo, Cu, V). The corresponding transition metal acetylacetonate complexes were reacted with silica or alumina, and subsequently thermally converted into the supported metal oxide. The deposition of these acetylacetonate complexes depends on the geometry and stability of the complex, the support properties and the synthesis procedure. By thorough control of the reaction parameters, this novel synthesis method enables the creation of uniform and highly dispersed supported transition metal oxides. Therefore, the molecular designed dispersion method plays an important role in the development of a new generation of catalysts. This paper is forwarded to the special issue of the Langmuir journal, devoted to the ISSHAC-3 symposium.