Tungstated zirconias prepared from W deposition on zirconium oxyhydroxide are reportedly active for alkane isomerization, whereas solids synthesized by impregnation of zirconia are inactive. The origin of the differences between the two preparations is not fully understood. The present paper examines the influence of W surface density and the nature of the support on the surface structure, development of the acidity, and catalytic performance of WOx/ZrO2 catalysts. Two series of catalysts containing W surface densities up to 5.2 at. W/nm(2) were prepared by pore volume impregnation of two different supports: zirconium oxyhydroxide and predominantly tetragonal zirconia ( 65% tetragonal, 35% monoclinic). The texture and structure of the catalysts were investigated by BET measurements, X-ray diffraction, Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The catalytic activity was tested for 2-propanol dehydration and n-hexane isomerization. For catalysts obtained by impregnation of Zr oxyhydroxide, Raman results showed that W was present as a surface phase. Infrared spectra indicated an increase in the degree of polymerization of W species with increasing W surface density. The development of the acidity was monitored by lutidine adsorption and desorption at 523 K, followed by infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated the presence of a threshold of W surface density at 1.3 at. W/nm2 for the detection of these acid sites, followed by a progressive increase in their abundance with increasing W surface density. The development of Bronsted acidity correlated with the evolution of the infrared bands attributed to "extensively" polymerized W species. A direct relationship was observed between the abundance of Bronsted acid sites and the catalytic activity for 2-propanol dehydration. For n-hexane isomerization, compared to 2-propanol dehydration, a higher threshold of W surface densities ( 3.4 at. W/ nm(2)) for the development of activity was observed. The difference was attributed to stronger Bronsted acid sites required for n-hexane isomerization. The catalysts prepared by impregnation of zirconia exhibited comparable behavior. For a given W surface density, the crystalline composition of the support ( tetragonal/monoclinic zirconia), the W surface structure, abundance of Bronsted acid sites, and catalytic performance were similar. Thus, in an apparent variance with some of the results reported in the literature with respect to the influence of preparation methods, no significant effect of the initial form of the support ( Zr oxyhydroxide versus predominantly tetragonal zirconia) was evidenced.