The search for new energy sources has impulsed hydrocarbon production from methanol and ethanol over ZSM-5 zeolites. Iron incorporation by different methods has led to a variety of chemical applications. Thus, hydrocarbon production from ethanol was studied over a ZSM-5 zeolite modified by ion exchange and impregnation with iron. XRD, FTIR, TPR, nitrogen adsorption, Mossbauer and photoacoustic spectroscopies were used for the samples characterization. The highest yield of liquid hydrocarbons was obtained with the low iron-exchanged zeolite, especially co-feeding hydrogen. The calcination procedure led to a migration of the iron species, probably forming iron oxide particles. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.