Cu-Co2O3/ZnO, AlO3 catalysts prepared by co-precipitation were studied by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and chemisorption of nitrous oxide (NO). Catalytic activity for synthesis Of C-1-C-6 alcohols was determined in a fixed bed flow reactor system. Changes in activity and selectivity were obtained with respect to changes of percentage composition of Co-Cu catalyst, temperature (270-355 degrees C), ratio of H-2/CO (0.5-2), pressure (40-70 atm), feeding flow with GHSV (2260-5060 h(-1)). In optimum condition, the selectivity for alcohol (SA) and heavier alcohols (S-C2OH-) were more that 80% and 50%, respectively. The distribution of alcohol products obeys Schulz-Flory distribution. The chain growth probability factor of higher alcohols was independent of conversion. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.