This study investigated the collaborative relationship between different supports and zinc acetate [Zn (OAc)(2)]. As a highly active catalyst, zinc acetate supported on nitrogen-doped activated carbon (N-AC) was prepared with cyanamide as a nitrogen source. The acetic acid conversion of the 10%Zn (OAc)(2)/0.5N-AC catalyst was 50.2% higher than that of the 10%Zn(OAc)(2)/AC catalyst at 220 degrees C, GHSV (C2H2) = 500 h(-1), and a feed Volume ratio of V(C2H2)/V[CH3COOH(g)] = 3. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that electron transfer occurred between N species and Zn(OAc)(2). Temperature programmed desorption analysis revealed that the nitrogen-doped Zn(OAc)(2) catalyst enhanced the catalytic activity by modulating the intensity of the catalyzed adsorption of acetic acid and acetylene. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.