This study deals with the preparation and characterisation of supported MO2N catalysts from the temperature programmed NH3 nitridation of the precursor sulphides obtained via precipitation from homogeneous solution. Whilst nitridation temperature, H-2:NH3 ratio and reaction time were found to be important determinants of the BET surface area, chemisorptive parameters, acid site strength, density and surface spectroscopic features were also influenced by support-type. Among the four supports (alumina, silica, zirconia and titania) used, the 12%Mo2N/Al2O3 catalyst yielded the highest BET surface area (200 m(2) g(-1)) while the ZrO2-supported sample exhibited the best dispersion (13%) and lowest particle size at 10nm. The heat of desorption for NH3 based on TPD runs lies between -150 and -130 kJ mol(-1) for all catalysts and is comparable to those found for Pt supported on similar oxides. In spite of the high H-2 uptake on the (MoN)-N-2/ZrO2 catalyst, based on CO hydrogenation reaction, the turnover frequency decreased in the order: alumina > silica > zirconia > titania. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.