A full factorial experimental design was performed to investigate the conversion of ethanol to 1,3-butadiene (1,3-BD), through manipulation of the reaction temperature and ethanol weight hourly space velocity. Reactions were carried out in presence of the catalyst K₂O:ZrO₂:ZnO/MgO-SiO₂, prepared by co-precipitation methods. Mathematical models were developed to correlate observed product selectivities, 1,3-BD yields and productivities with the manipulated reaction variables, allowing for quantification of variable effects on catalyst activity and assessment of the kinetic mechanism. Obtained 1,3-BD productivities were as high as 0.5g_BD/g_cat h,g_BD/g_cat h, with 1,3-BD yields of 27%. Results suggest that acetaldehyde condensation is the rate determining step.