The kinetics of methanol oxidation oil a Cu(110) surface have been followed understationary reaction conditions in the 10(-7) to 10(-5) mbar ran-e with low-energy electron diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy. photoelectron emission microscopy, and rate measurements. A large, 300-400 K-wide hysteresis Occurs with cycling of the temperature. The (5 x 2) and c(2 x 2) Structures, attributed to intermediates of the reaction. are seen only in a T-interval from 300 to approximate to 380 K, where the reaction ignites. The surface exhibits Substantial carbon coverage upon heating, but on the cooling branch the Surface is largely carbon free down to - 400 K, where the surface becomes covered by C-containing adsorbates again. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Inc.