Microkinetic analysis of ethanol to 1,3-butadiene reactions over MgO-SiO2 catalysts was performed based on the detailed characterization of experimental fluctuations, taking into account the influence of the reaction temperature and catalyst properties on ethanol conversion and product selectivities. The obtained results show that both reaction temperature and catalysts properties affected experimental fluctuations significantly. The local microkinetic information contained in the covariance matrix of experimental fluctuations indicated the change of the rate-limiting step as reaction temperature increased: from 300 to 400 degrees C, the rate-limiting step was identified as the acetaldehyde condensation, while at 450 degrees C, ethanol dehydrogenation step limits the 1,3-butadiene production. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.