Supported Pd, Pt, Ru and Ir catalysts doped with Cd, Sn, P, Sb, Bi, Se, Ca and Ce have been studied in a liquid phase isomerization of 3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol (isoprenol) into 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol (prenol) in a continuous reactor in the temperature range of 60-100 degrees C. Silica and different aluminas were used as supports. The catalyst containing 0.5% Pd-0.05% Se-0.3% Ce/SiO2 exhibited the best performance. A 45% conversion of isoprenol at selectivity of 93-94% to prenol was recorded in 100 h run in hydrogen flow. The catalysts were characterized by SEM, XRD and XPS methods. The role of selenium consists in the stabilization of Pd in a partially oxidized state Pdn+, depressing completely hydrogenation activity, and thus selenium promotes a shift of double bond. Addition of Cc oxide improves dispersion of palladium species affecting catalyst activity significantly. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.