A series of titania catalysts containing chromium, molybdenum as well as tungsten has been prepared by colloidal sol-gel route using metatitanic acid as the precursor. Structural characterization of the prepared catalysts was done with Energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, BET surface area and pore volume measurements. The influence of different transition metals like chromium, molybdenum and tungsten on the surface acidic properties of titania is investigated in detail. Two independent methods have been used to study the surface acidity of these catalyst systems: temperature programmed desorption of ammonia which is a measure of total acidity and thermodesorption studies using 2,6-dimethyl pyridine which is a measure of Bronsted acidity. Cumene cracking reaction is carried out over the prepared systems for further characterizing the acidity of the prepared catalysts. Remarkable enhancement in the surface acidity is observed after transition metal incorporation. The catalytic activity of the prepared catalysts was tested towards the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.