Two series of catalytically active SnO2 powders were prepared from tin(IV) tert-butoxide and tin(IV) chloride as tin precursors. A part of the synthesized samples were additionally subjected to specific treatments during the preparation-a treatment at constant humidity and temperature and/or a "step calcination". The obtained samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, transmission electron microscopy and were studied in the total oxidation of ethyl acetate. The use of these specific treatments leads to materials that differ substantially in their textural characteristics and catalytic properties. The highest catalytic activity and selectivity are obtained for samples prepared from tin(IV) tert-butoxide after the "step calcination" treatment. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.