The influence of ZrO2 phase on the product selectivity arising from the preparation method of Cu/ZrO2 is studied in the gas phase conversion of cyclohexanol. This study results are supported by NH3-TPD, XRD, pyridine-FTIR and N2O pulse chemisorptions measurements. However, N2O pulse chemisorptions studies did not reveal significant differences between the two catalysts. The product selectivity is completely dependent on the ZrO2 phase which ultimately led to the differences in the acidic properties observed through NH3-TPD and pyridine-FTIR experiments. Catalyst poisoning experiments using NH3 co-feeding brought a reversal in the product selectivity.Graphical AbstractCu/ZrO2 catalyst prepared by impregnation method containing monoclinic ZrO2 yields cyclohexanone and Cu/ZrO2 catalyst prepared by coprecipitation method with tetragonal ZrO2 phase possessing strong acidic sites yields benzene when cyclohexanol is contacted in vapour phase conditions [GRAPHICS] .