A procedure to synthesize new Au-Pd bimetallic catalysts using Au and Pd vapours as reagents (metal vapour synthesis, MVS) is reported. The simultaneous co-condensation of Au and Pd vapours with acetone vapour affords Au-Pd/acetone-solvated metal atoms which have been used to deposit Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles on gamma-alumina and titanium oxide supports. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis determined the nanoparticles dimensions (d(m) = 2.2-2.4 nm) and size distribution while the Xray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis showed the presence of small bimetallic Au-Pd nanoparticles with a large amount of Au-Pd bonds. The bimetallic co-condensed systems, tested in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol with molecular oxygen both in toluene solvent and in solvent-free conditions, showed higher catalytic activity and selectivity than the corresponding monometallic systems as well as of the analogous systems obtained by separate evaporation of the two metals. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.