Catalysts with iron loadings of 1 wt%, 5 wt%, and 10 wt% were synthesized. The respective quantities of iron nitrate nonahydrate were dissolved in the volume of water corresponding to that of the pores in the alpha-alumina support. The pore volume of aluminum oxide was determined through N2 physisorption. Subsequently, the iron nitrate solution was added dropwise to the support, was mixed until a homogeneous paste was obtained and was treated in an ultrasonic bath for 30 minutes. The paste was dried over night in a vacuum oven at 60 °C. Due to the low pore volume and surface area of α-Al2O3, the impregnation resulted in inhomogeneous distribution of iron nitrate as a crust on the surface. Therefore, the impregnated catalyst was mortared in acetone till all liquid is evaporated to ensure that the Fe-species is homogeneously distributed. The dried impregnated catalyst was then calcined in air at 600 °C for four hours (ramp: 5 °C min -1 , 100 mL min -1 Air). Right before the catalytic testing, the catalyst was reduced in hydrogen at 900 °C for three hours (ramp: 10 °C min -1 , 100 mL min -1 H2).