New catalysts based on Co- and Mo-promoted CuLa 2 Zr 2 O 7 methanol synthesis catalysts were prepared. These catalysts showed good activities and selectivities in the synthesis of C 1 -C 6 alcohols from a CO+H 2 mixture. These alcohols have an Anderson-Schulz-Flory type distribution. The influence of promoters and reaction conditions on the reactivities were investigated and compared. Co favors the chain growing process, and in that respect, it is more effective than Fe or Ni whereas Mo enhances only the hydrogenating power of the catalyst and so increases the total conversion. In the knowledge of the reaction mechanism, TPD after acetaldehyde adsorption and probe molecules experiments gave strong evidence of the insertion of a C 1 oxygen-containing species into an alkyl chain.