The Pt, Au and Pd catalysts supported on zirconia were prepared by the colloid deposition method. The catalytic activities of the catalysts for the hydrochlorination of 4-phenyl-1-butene were investigated under the irradiation of visible light, taking hydrochloric acid as the sources of chloride and hydrogen. The catalysts exhibited superior activities under the irradiation, giving rise to 4-phenylbutyl chloride and 4-phenyl-2-butenol, but they were almost inactive without the irradiation. Ethanol was unfavorable to the reaction. In addition to 4-phenylbutyl chloride, 2,3-dimethylstyrene was the by-product on the Pt and Au catalysts, and the isomerization from 4-phenyl-1-butene to benzene-1-butenyl occurred on the Pd/ZrO2 catalyst in ethanol solution.