Platinum (II) tetrachloride (PTC) has been studied as an anionic metal precursor in strong electrostatic adsorption method of catalyst preparation. Compared to the conventionally used platinum (IV) hexachloride precursors, PTC exhibited greater pH stability in aqueous solution. As a result, PTC uptake on high PZC supports remained nearly unchanged irrespective of precursor aging. Upon reduction of these PTC catalysts small (similar to 2.0 nm) and well-dispersed Pt nanoparticles were obtained on alumina, whereas on carbon, Pt sizes were significantly larger (4-10 nm). [GRAPHICS] .