2-Methoxy-1-propanol has been selectively synthesized using clay supported tris(2,4-pentanedionato)zirconium(IV), prepared by facile ion-exchange process. The tris(2,4-pentanedionato)zirconium(IV) cation was synthesized by refluxing zirconium chloride with acetylacetone in chloroform. The heterogenized complex showed an increase in conversion rate and selectivity compared to the homogeneous one. Selectivity of 58% towards primary methoxypropanol was achieved under mild reaction condition. The clays selected as supporting materials were synthetic taeniolite and natural bentonite. It was observed that natural bentonite showed similar activity to synthetic taeniolite as a catalyst support. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.