The reaction between methane and cerium oxide to produce syngas has been studied at 700 degreesC in a pulse apparatus. The cerium oxide was supported on gamma -Al2O3 and promoted by re-impregnation with Pt or Rh. The promoters drastically enhanced the conversion of methane. TPR with hydrogen shows that Pt and Rh also lowered the temperature necessary to reduce the cerium oxide. Studies of the reaction between methane and promoted cerium oxide showed that the selectivity to syngas depends on the degree of reduction of the cerium oxide. The promoters also led to some carbon formation. Regeneration of the reduced oxide was studied both with oxygen and carbon dioxide. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.