BACKGROUND Fatty alcohols are produced commercially by selective hydrogenation of fatty acid esters using copper-chromium catalysts. To reduce drastic reaction conditions, ruthenium-tin (Ru-Sn) catalysts reduced with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) have been proposed. Chlorine (Cl) negatively affects the selectivity and activity of this catalytic system. To get further information on why Cl influences the selectivity negatively, this study investigated the influence of the preparation method on titania (TiO2)-supported catalysts, which leads to catalysts with different Cl contents. RESULTS The activity and selectivity were greatly affected by the Cl content, which depends on the metal impregnation method (co-impregnation in excess of solution or co-impregnation by incipient wetness) and the support pre-calcination. Chlorine affects the Ru-Sn metal interaction, modifying the activity and selectivity. Catalysts with high Ru-Sn interaction are more selective to oleyl alcohol. Catalysts prepared by the co-impregnation method exhibit bigger particles than catalysts prepared by the incipient wetness method, with agglomerated Ru3Sn7 cubic phase of 50 nm surrounded by amorphous Ru-Sn. CONCLUSION High interaction between Ru and Sn is preferred because segregated Ru species are not selective for the formation of oleyl alcohol. The electronic state of Ru-0 is very important because small variations in the electron density lead to a decrease in the adsorption of hydrogen, or because Ru-0-H species do not have the adequate binding energy to produce the necessary 'hydride form'. The Ru electronic state is modified by the Cl that surrounds it, decreasing its ability to adsorb hydrogen. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical Industry