Ultrafine metal particles supported on alumina were prepared by pyrolysis of poly(vinylferrocene) (Poly(VFc))/alumina or sodium polyacrylate-Pd(II) (Poly(AANa)-Pd(II))/alumina precursors at 800 similar to 1200 degrees C. alpha-Fe particles produced on kappa-Al2O3 was obtained by pyrolysis of the mixture of Poly(VFc)/alumina(5/5) at 1000 degrees C. Crystalline Pd supported on alumina was also obtained from Poly(AANa)-Pd(II)/alumina precursor. The size of metal particles formed increased with increasing mixing ratio of polymer complex with alumina.