Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) performed at high temperatures and pressures is one alternative for upgrading of pyrolysis oils from biomass. Studies on zirconia-supported mono- and bimetallic noble metal (Rh, Pd, Pt) catalysts showed these catalysts to be active and selective in the hydrogenation of guaiacol (GUA) at 100 degrees C and in the HDO of GUA at 300 degrees C. GUA was used as model compound for wood-based pyrolysis oil. At the temperatures tested, the performance of the noble metal catalysts, especially the Rh-containing catalysts was similar or better than that of the conventional sulfided CoMo/Al2O3 catalyst. The carbon deposition on the noble metal catalysts was lower than that on the sulfided CoMo/Al2O3 catalyst. The performance of the Rh-containing catalysts in the reactions of GUA at the tested conditions demonstrates their potential in the upgrading of wood-based pyrolysis oils. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.