Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing highly active doped supported catalysts from an organic or inorganic support material and a catalyst metal precursor, characterized in that the support material is doped with lower-valent readily decomposable metal compounds of at least one metal of groups 4, 5 and/or 6 of the Periodic Table in the presence of solvents prior to or simultaneously with the operation of coating with the catalyst metal precursor in the form of metal particles, metal clusters or metal colloids of at least one metal of groups 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and/or 11 of the Periodic Table, wherein the metal(s) of the catalyst metal precursor and the metal(s) of the lower-valent metal compound have been derived from different groups of the Periodic Table, optionally followed by an after-treatment with oxygen, and all steps are carried out at a temperature of between -18.degree. C. and +25.degree. C.The invention further relates to the use of the catalysts prepared by said process.