A detailed characterization study of Pt catalysts supported on a novel zeolitized-pumice (Z-PM) support is reported. Two catalysts, named Pt(Cl)/Z-PM and Pt(Ac)/Z-PM, prepared by impregnation from H2PtCl6 and Pt(acac)(2) as precursors and subsequent reduction under H-2 at 623 K, were investigated in terms of microstructure, chemical and surface properties by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Characterization data showed that the microstructural stability of the support was preserved by using Pt(acac)(2) as precursor. It was verified instead that, by using H2PtCl6, the microstructure of the support changed during the thermal activation step under hydrogen, favouring a strong interaction between Pt and support as well as the formation of bimetallic Pt-Fe alloys. Moreover, a moderate increase of Pt d-band vacancies with respect to metallic Pt was observed in this catalyst by XPS. The above catalysts were tested in the selective hydrogenation of campholenic aldehydes to the corresponding unsaturated alcohol, naturanol. In comparison to the Pt(Ac)/Z-PM sample, the ex-chloride Pt(Cl)/Z-PM catalyst showed a higher selectivity to naturanol. This behaviour was interpreted on the basis of the different microstructural and electronic properties as evinced by the characterization data. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.