Gold nanoparticles supported on TiO2 were prepared using deposition-precipitation (DP) method and the catalysts were characterized by ICP, XRD, TEM, H-2-TPR, UV-Vis, NH3-TPD and pyridine adsorbed FT-IR. The Au/TiO2 was used to catalyze the aerobic oxidation of n-propyl alcohol dissolved in methanol and methyl propionate was synthesized. The results showed that 5% Au/TiO2 calcined at 673 K exhibited excellent catalytic performance in direct synthesis of methyl propionate. The selectivity of methyl propionate could reach 99% and the maximum n-propyl alcohol conversion was 63%. Au/TiO2 was stable and it could be reused for 6 cycles without significant deactivation when a base additive was added. The base dramatically improved the activity of gold catalysts and decelerated the deactivation of Au/TiO2.