The preparation and application of a 5% Pt/K-10 catalyst is described. The catalyst was found to be highly selective in the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde with almost exclusive formation of cinnamyl alcohol. The unsaturated alcohol was formed with selectivities up to 99% during cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation under mild experimental conditions (25 degrees C, 4 bar). The beneficial role of a significant support effect was interpreted to be due to the Lewis acid centers of the support, which provide suitable anchoring sites for C=O moieties.