A full factorial experimental design was performed to investigate the conversion of ethanol to 1,3 butadiene (1,3-BD), through manipulation of the reaction temperature and ethanol weight hourly space velocity. Reactions were carried out in presence of the catalyst K2O:ZrO2:ZnO/MgO-SiO2, prepared by co-precipitation methods. Mathematical models were developed to correlate observed product selectivities, 1,3-BD yields and productivities with the manipulated reaction variables, allowing for quantification of variable effects on catalyst activity and assessment of the kinetic mechanism. Obtained 1,3-BD productivities were as high as 0.5g(BD)/g(cat) h,g(BD)/g(cat) h, with 1,3-BD yields of 27%. Results suggest that acetaldehyde condensation is the rate determining step. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.