A series of solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD) catalysts: Pd/SiO2, Pd/Al2O3, Sn/SiO2, Sn/Al2O3, PdxSny/SiO2 and PdxSny/Al2O3. It was prepared by simultaneous evaporation of Pd and Sn. The metals were co-deposited at 77 K using acetone, 2-propanol and THF to produce colloids "in situ" all the supported catalyst were characterized by chemisorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and TPR. This series of catalyst were tested for crotonaldehyde hydrogenation in gas phase to obtain crotyl alcohol. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.