Modification of the pore structure of metal oxide and mixed metal oxide supports for catalysts synthesis

A method for preparing a porous metaloxide support, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) preparing a mixed metal oxide precursor comprising at least two metals by providing said at least two metals or precursors thereof, and by employing a method selected from the group consisting of precipitation and mechanical mixing;
• b) raising the temperature of the mixed metal oxide precursor at a rate of from 2 to 5 degrees Celsius (° C.) per minute to a calcination temperature in the range of 700° C. to 1300° C. and calcining the mixed metal oxide precursor at the calcination temperature so as to form a calcined mixed metal oxide material;
• and
• c) leaching the calcined mixed metal oxide material in a leach solution with a leaching constituent that at least partially dissolves one metal oxide so as to produce a porous metal oxide support having a desired average pore size, wherein the leaching constituent is NH3.