PURPOSE: To obtain a catalyst suitable for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons having high activity and thermal stability by supporting a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements on α-alumina having specified characteristics.

CONSTITUTION: A noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements such as platinum, palladium and rhodium is supported on α-alumina having at least 90% of its pore volume in pores of a size of at least 2000 nm, preferably 6000 nm. The thus obtained catalyst suitable for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons can suppress the production of soot since the catalyst removes various radicals produced in the reaction operation. Further, the thermodynamic equilibrium suitable for progress of the main reaction can be secured, since the reaction rate is increased and the gas velocity is high. Therefore, synthetic gas can be prepared advantageously from hydrocarbons.