Preparation of catalytic mixed oxides by sol-gel chemistry affords a degree of control over the intimacy of molecular-scale mixing - and therefore the important acidic and textural properties that depend upon mixing - that is not available by other methods. Literature examples illustrate bow careful control of any one of a number of preparative parameters, including, but not limited to, concentrations, addition order anti drying conditions, can lead to changes in the microstructural distribution of the components that are, in turn, related directly to the textural and chemical properties of the calcined sample.