We synthesized zinc glycerolate (ZnGly) microstacks by treating ZnO with glycerol at 100°C under reflux. We observed that the morphology of the ZnO source has a pronounced effect on the appearance of the ZnGly product. In the absence of structure-directing effects the product ZnGly is obtained as a random heap of hexagonal prisms with an average diameter and thickness of ca. 2.5 µm and ca. 350 nm, respectively. However, bundles of nanorod-shaped ZnO obtained by the thermal decomposition of zinc oxalate nanorods could readily be transformed into 2-4 µm long zinc glyc-

We report on a method for the controlled synthesis of a new type of high specific surface area mesoporous carbons denoted as the CMH family. By using mixtures of colloidal silica particles as templates it was possible to synthesize samples exhibiting 1,630 m 2 g -1 specific surface area and 4.37 cm 3 g -1 pore volume. CMH materials exhibit high thermal stability in oxygen and can be used as catalyst supports. This function was demonstrated by synthesizing Pt/CMH and Rh/CMH catalysts and testing them in the hydrogenation of cyclohexene. We have found Pt/CMH to be more stable and easier to regenerate than Rh/CMH.

Nickel catalysts supported on various carbon materials such as multiwall carbon nanotubes, shortened length carbon nanotubes, graphite and amorphous carbon were synthesized, characterized and tested in cyclohexene hydrogenation reaction. We have found that carbon nanotube supports are superior to graphite and amorphous carbon both in terms of catalytic activity and stability.

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