Nitrous oxide (N2O) is one of the most potent greenhouse gases which contributes to ozone layer depletion. The abatement and value-added utilization of waste N2O are thus an important task. In this work, Cu/C, Pd-Cu/C, Pd-Co-Cu/C and Co-Cu/C catalysts were prepared and tested in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol in the presence of N2O. All catalysts were active and selective to acetaldehyde above 150 degrees C and the Co-Cu/C catalyst performed the best. The role of the alpha-oxygen obtained from the N2O decomposition was also investigated. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.