Graphene like materials with an atomic ratio of C/O > 40 have been prepared by calcination of graphite oxide (C/O = 1.46) in an inert atmosphere. Platinum nanoparticles (average size of ~2.0 nm) have been deposited onto the surface of the materials from an aqueous solution of H 2 PtCl 6 · xH 2 O in the presence of pyridine. These particles catalyze the liquid phase hydrogenation of PhNO 2 to PhNH 2 and that of the dou ble bonds in 1 decene and styrene. As a support, the defect containing graphene like material prepared by calcination of graphite oxide at 1000-1050°C for 3 h has certain advantages over graphite oxide reduced by chemical means or by short term heating. This material and catalysts supported on it can be formed as "car bon paper" by vacuum filtration.