The activity of iron oxides prepared by different methods and ruthenium catalysts supported on these iron oxides was studied in n-butanol conversion. A correlation between the susceptibility to reduction and the acid-base properties of the supports, prepared from iron oxide-hydroxides of alpha-, beta-gamma- and 6-FeOOH types, and their selectivity in the reaction of n-butanol conversion was found. Deposition of ruthenium on the selected supports led to obtaining catalysts of enhanced activity and selectivity towards aldehyde or ester.