Certain organometallic precursors selectively interact with surface hydroxyl groups on an inorganic oxide support such as silica, alumina or silica-alumina or to provide a uniform distribution of metal complexes on the surfaces of said support. Subsequent reduction of the support results in a high dispersion of uncomplexed metal centers to which other organometallic precursors are subsequently attached. The substantially attached organometallic precursors may be reduced and/or sulfided to yield a highly active hydrogenation catalyst having a plurality of metal species in a highly dispersed distribution.