Two different series of platinum supported catalysts have been prepared, characterized and tested in the toluene hydrogenation. In each series, the metal loading was constant (1 wt% Pt) and two metal precursors, H2PtCl6 and Pt(acac)(2) have been used. Various supports (Al2O3, SiO2, ZrO2 and TiO2) differing in surface areas and chemical properties were used. The catalysts were characterized by means of H-2 chemisorption, TPR, surface acidity by TPD of ammonia and XPS. In order to evaluate the catalyst performance the resistance to deactivation by sulphur poisoning was also investigated. Thus, toluene hydrogenation was studied by cofeeding 10 ppm thiophene while n-butane hydrogenolysis was investigated over poisoned catalysts.