Mn-Cr-O mixed oxide (SP) and 2% Pt/SP and 2% Ru/SP samples prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of SP with RuCl3 or H2PtCl6 water solutions were tested in ethanol oxidation (ORE, 1.6% C2H5OH + 0.58% O-2 in He) and water gas shift (WGSR, 1.2% CO + 1.2% H2O in He) reactions at 400 degrees C and 550 degrees C. At close ethanol conversion over all samples, 2% Ru/SP exhibited the highest selectivity towards CO and H-2 and the best activity in WGSR. Analysis of isotope responses during C2H5OH + O-16(2)/C2H5OH + O-18(2) and C2H5OH + O-16(18)(2)/O-16(18)(2) switches revealed formation of both CO and CO2 from the same intermediate -CH3CHO. At this, oxygen in CO comes from CH3CHO, while in CO2- from the catalyst. Final CO/CO2 and H-2/H2O ratios are determined by WGSR which obeys redox mechanism. It is faster reoxidation of Run+ by H2O (and probably, CO2) that is responsible for highest yield of syngas products on 2% Ru/SP sample.