Selective hydrogenation of crotonaldehyde was performed on 5% Pt/SnO2 catalysts, in gaseous phase, at atmospheric pressure, at 353 K. Two types of catalyst were prepared using H2PtCl6 and Pt(NH3)(4)(NO3)(2) as metallic precursors. Their performances were compared as a function of the reduction temperature and both catalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction after different reduction treatments. Using the ex-chloride catalyst, the selectivity values to the unsaturated alcohol (UOL) resulted into a maximum of 45% while a selectivity as high as 70-77%, in 0-25% conversion range, was achieved by using ex-nitrate catalyst reduced at 443 K. The formation of Pt-Sn alloy on the metal particles of platinum was thought to be necessary to improve the activity and the selectivity on these catalysts. In the contrast, a presence of PtSn2 formed at a reduction temperature higher than 473 K led to a decrease of activity and selectivity. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.