A series of nickel/alumina catalysts promoted with cerium, lanthanum and zirconium was studied in relation to CO and CO2 hydrogenation. The following examinations were applied in the studies: temperature-programmed reduction (TP reduction), X-ray diffraction, TP desorption of pre-adsorbed hydrogen, adsorption Of 02 and its TP hydrogenation, thermal effect Of 02 adsorption, adsorption of CO and its TP desorption or TP hydrogenation, and testing of activity in CO and CO2 hydrogenation. The examinations Of 02 and CO adsorption demonstrate that the promoters decrease rate but do not affect quantity of the adsorption. On the other side, the promoters do not affect TP desorption of hydrogen and TP hydrogenation of pre-adsorbed oxygen which indicates that the promoters do not modify the state of oxygen and hydrogen adsorbed on nickel. At the same time, the TP desorption of CO demonstrates that, contrary to zirconium, cerium and lanthanum considerably promote dissociation of CO. The effect very likely is responsible for higher activity of the catalysts in TP hydrogenation of pre-adsorbed CO and also in the steady state activity of the catalysts in CO and CO2 hydrogenation. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.