The Cu-ZnO-Cr2O3/SiO2 catalysts were prepared by impregnation method, which exhibited high activity for the dehydrogenation of 2-butanol to 2-butanone. These catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, EPR and BET. The experimental results indicated that (i) the valence states of copper play a key role, (ii) groups of copper atoms were the main active sites in this reaction, and (iii) copper oxide would lead to the condensation product of 5-methyl-3-heptanone.