Chemoselective crotonaldehyde hydrogen transfer reduction over pure and supported metal nitrates

► Calcined Al, Ga, In and ZrO nitrates showed strong Brønsted and Lewis acidity. ► Calcined zirconyl nitrate led to the best catalytic results (98%Sel at 57%Conv.). ► High strength Brønsted plus Lewis acidity correlates with crotyl alcohol yield. ► Catalysts presented a severe deactivation process (both reversible and irreversible). ► Adsorbed polymeric species on strong acid sites relate to irreversible deactivation.