The properties of hopcalite in alumina matrix formed by rehydration of transition aluminas have been investigated in comparison with conventional hopcalite catalyst. By using X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and activity measurements in combustion of n-butane and air mixture it was found that the presence of alumina matrix leads to improvement of thermal stability at elevated temperatures and to limitation of spinel phase recrystallization. The modified catalyst was found to show much higher activity after thermal treatment at temperatures above 773 K than pure hopcalite at the same conditions.