High surface area mesoporous carbon xerogels were prepared and used as supports for monometallic Pt and bimetallic Pt-Sn catalysts. These catalysts were tested in the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to cinnamyl alcohol. Conversions and selectivities were found to depend on both the texture and the surface chemistry of the supports. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.