Acid-base properties of zirconia and titania based materials were investigated by FTIR spectroscopy of CO2 and pyridine probe molecules adsorption. Catalytic performance of the catalysts was also tested in the gas phase dehydration of glycerol with the intention of investigating relationship between catalytic activity and nature of acidic and basic active sites. Results confirmed preferential Bronsted-acid catalyzed route of acrolein formation. Moreover, clear evidence of the effect of the nature of basic sites to selectively yield acetol was presented, basic OH groups being more selective than basic oxide ions. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.