We have studied the gas-phase hydrogenation of styrene oxide to obtain 2-phenylethanol (2-PEA) using palladium catalysts on supports such as activated carbon (AC), gamma-alumina and magnesia. We performed several characterization techniques, such as powder XRD, TPD of H-2, NH3 and styrene oxide, TPR, N-2 physisorption and H-2 chemisorption, in order to correlate the chemical and textural properties with catalytic activity. The acid-base nature of the support played an important role in the selectivity to the products. An acid support, such as alumina or activated carbon, favoured the formation of phenyl acetaldehyde and 1-phenylethanol. On the other hand, when a basic support such as MgO was used, the main product was 2-PEA. Selectivity to 2-PEA was above 98% even at practically total conversion of styrene oxide. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.