Copper loaded η-alumina catalysts with different copper contents have been prepared by impregnation/evaporation method. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET, UV–vis, H2-TPR and evaluated in the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3 and in the selective catalytic oxidation of NH3. The characterization techniques showed that the impregnation/evaporation method permits to obtain highly dispersed copper oxide species on the η-alumina surface when low amount of copper is used (1wt. % and 2 wt.%). The wet impregnation method made it possible to reach a well dispersion of the copper species on the surface of the alumina for the low copper contents Cu(1)-Al2O3 and Cu(2)-Al2O3. The latter justifies the similar behavior of Cu(1)-Al2O3) and Cu(2)-Al2O3 in the selective catalytic oxidation of NH3 where these catalysts exhibit a conversion of NH3 to N2 of the order of 100% at T > 500°C.