Selective oxygen (O-2) removal from wood-derived syngas was investigated over three types of ceria-modified alumina supported metal catalysts (i.e., Pt, Pd, and Cu). Complete O-2 removal was observed with the Pt and Pd catalysts at a lower temperature than with the Cu catalyst. Gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) was another critical parameter affecting O-2 removal, substantially reducing O-2 conversion by all three catalysts at 4000 h(-1) or above. The Cu catalyst appeared to be most sensitive to GHSV. Among three catalysts, the Pd catalyst had the best performance on O-2 removal. In addition to reaction conditions, CO2 and water vapor in the syngas also influenced O-2 removal, both of which had adverse effects on O-2 conversion. Stability tests indicated that both Pt and Pd catalysts were quite stable over a 300 h testing period while the Cu catalyst was deactivated after 50 h and regenerated by elevating reaction temperature. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.