The reaction of ethanol has been investigated on the surface of Au-Rh/CeO2 by temperature programmed desorption (TPD), infrared spectroscopy and in steady state conditions. Most of adsorbed ethanol is found in the form of ethoxides (v O-C at 1045 and 1096 cm(-1)). Heating the surface resulted in the transformation of ethoxides to carbonates (v COO at 1561 and 1347 cm(-1)) without the presence of stable acetaldehyde or formaldehyde species. By 673 K all surface species has been desorbed. The relative instability of these carbonates when compared to CeO2 or Rh/CeO2 indicates that Au is enhancing the rate of oxidation. Most of CO2 formed during TPD is resulting from carbonate decomposition. Catalytic reactions showed that both CO2 and H-2 can be formed with high yield over a wide temperature range. (C) 2004 American Vacuum Society.