The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of pillaring of MCM-22 zeolite on Pt and Au dispersion and catalytic activity in CO and methanol oxidation as well as to analyze the similarities and differences in the surface and catalytic properties of Au and Pt loaded on pillared MCM-22-pil. The role of pillaring in the functionalization by APTMS (3-aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane) before metal loading was also considered. The difference in the effect of platinum and gold dispersion on the rate of CO oxidation confirmed reports in the literature. The stability of Pt-containing zeolites in CO oxidation for the second run of the reaction is pointed out. An increase in activity of gold catalysts in the second cycle of the reaction was found and is discussed. The difference found in the methanol conversion and selectivity in alcohol oxidation between gold-containing MCM-22 and MCM-22-pil is discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.