Methanol decomposition to hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be catalyzed in a liquid-phase at 180 degreesC over nickel supported on silica. By-production of formaldehyde suggests that the reaction mechanism is similar to that for the gas-phase reaction. The initial rate of the liquid-phase decomposition is about one third of that in the gas-phase, but the reaction is not very sensitive against presence of hydrogen and carbon monoxide which cause a decrease in the reaction rate. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.