A catalyst support is produced by mixing particulate synthetic silica with
0.5 10 parts by weight of one or more particulate oxides or phosphates of
the elements of group IIA, IIIB, IVB, VA, VIB, VIIB, VIII, IB, IIB, IIIA,
IVA and lanthanides or precursors thereof, shaping the mixture and then
calcining the shaped mixture to form the finished support. The formed
support has improved stability relative to aging resistance under
hydrothermal conditions. The catalyst support is used together with
phosphoric acid in the production of alcohols from olefins by hydration.
The resultant hydration catalysts have excellent activity and
selectivity.