FT-IR spectroscopy of adsorbed probe molecules of pyridine and CO 2 , has been used to characterize adsorption sites (acidic and basic sites) on holmium oxide. Ho 2 O 3 , was obtained by calcination of holmium nitrate penta hydrate [Ho(NO 3 ) 3 .5H 2 O] at 970K for 1h in static air. The adsorption and surface reaction of 2-propanol on the test oxide were also examined using IR spectroscopy. The results of adsorbed pyridine and CO 2 revealed that the surface of Ho 2 O 3 exposes Lewis acid sites (cus Ho 3 + ) and highly reactive basic sits (O 2 - and/or OH - ). The results also revealed that 2-propanol is irreversibly adsorbed at 300K giving rise to different surface species. The results revealed that Ho 2 O 3 is a dual functioning catalyst >=520K, and that 2-propanol decomposes thereon via dehydration into propene and dehydrogenation into acetone. At >=570K, the acetone was used up in a secondary surface reaction, giving rise to gas phase isobutene, methane and carbon dioxide.