The conversion of ethanol into 1-butanol and 1,1-diethoxyethane was studied over Cu-Mg-Al mixed oxide catalysts obtained from LDH precursors. The optimum yields are obtained for Cu loadings comprised between 5 and 10 at%. A reaction scheme accounting for the main and secondary reaction products is proposed. The influences of the reaction temperature and of the reaction time on the catalytic performances have also been investigated. The negative effect of water, a by-product of the reaction, on this transformation was evidenced. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.