Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-based Pt-Co catalysts are prepared by different impregnation techniques and different reduction methods (H-2, HCHO and KBH4) for the selective reduction of cinnamaldehyde (CMA) to the corresponding cinnamyl alcohol (CMO). The selectivity and activity of the Pt-Co/CNTs catalysts can be improved significantly by using ammonia as a ligand and KBH4 as a reducing agent because of the synergetic effect of Pt-Co-B. Furthermore, the hydrogenation rate of CMA increases ulteriorly in the presence of trace base and acid promoters. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.