Fe/K/beta-Mo2C catalysts were prepared by the temperature-programmed-reaction (TPRe) method and tested for higher alcohols synthesis (HAS). The catalysts exhibited high catalytic activity and selectivity to higher alcohols (C2+OH). The effect of Fe/Mo molar ratio on the catalytic performance of HAS was investigated and the best one was at Fe/Mo molar ratio of 1/14. It could be concluded that the Fe promoter exerted strong promotion for carbon chain growth, especially for the stage of C1OH to C2OH. The "Fe3Mo3C'' and "Fe3C'' phases formed over Fe promoted Fe/K/beta-Mo2C catalysts, which might be responsible for the high activity of higher alcohols and hydrocarbons synthesis, respectively.