Supported platinum systems have been used as catalysts for selective hydrogenation of citral to the unsaturated alcohol. The C double bond O bond is hydrogenated rather than the thermodynamically favorable C double bond C bond on supported platinum systems. This is due to the influence of the SMSI (strong metal-support interaction) state in these supported platinum catalysts. In all the supported catalyst systems the formation of geraniol (E isomer) has been observed as the sole product of the hydrogenation of citral.