Mesoporous mixed oxides supports were impregnated with solutions of Pt or Ru compounds. The catalytic performance and stability were evaluated in dry reforming of methane. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, temperature programmed reduction (TPR), High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses and Raman spectroscopy. Promoters such as MgO, ZrO2, CeO2 and La2O3 were added to alumina support and exhibited distinct behaviour, when Ru or Pt was dispersed on these solids. Catalysts based on Pt-containing CeO2 Al2O3 showed a relatively high catalytic activity and stability compared to the other solids. The influences of the temperature and CH4/CO2 on the catalytic behaviour of the most active solids were also studied. The coking takes place due to carbonaceous deposition, but no significant loss of activity was observed during 24 h for some catalysts, which suggest the carbon species formed did not damage the solid. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.