In light of environmental concerns and the global economy, higher oxygenated fuel, such as ethanol, is a viable and attractive alternative to conventional gasoline. Presently, the major process to produce ethanol, the fermentation of corn, is economically inefficient. A more direct route, the reaction of synthesis gas (CO/H2) to produce higher oxygenates (aldehydes and alcohols), appears to be a better method. Rhodium catalysts have been known to exhibit higher oxygenate activity and selectivity from synthesis gas. The mechanism involves CO dissociation followed by hydrogenation to form an adsorbed CHXspecies. The CHXintermediate can undergo either hydrogenation to form methane, chain propagation to form higher hydrocarbons, or CO insertion to form C2oxygenates. Experiments were performed to study the effects on the synthesis of higher alcohols from syngas of S, P, Cu, and Ag as additives to Rhodium supported on a silica support (Rh/Si02). The additive S was found to suppress the CO dissociation step, therefore lowering the overall product rate. The addition of P or Cu to the Rh catalyst enhance the CHXintermediate hydrogenation, resulting in the increase of methane formation. The addition of Ag to Rh/SiO2promotes the CO insertion activity, therefore increasing the oxvtfenate selectivity.