Copper and zinc mixed oxides system having the formula 0.25 CuO/ZnO was prepared by coprecipitation method followed by calcination at 400 and 800 ^oC. This system was doped with MgO (0.75- 3 mol %). The techniques employed were XRD, EDX, N₂-adsorption at -196 ^oC, H₂O₂ decomposition at 20-40 ^oC and conversion of 2-propanol at 100-275 ^oC. The obtained results revealed that the crystallite sizes and surface concentrations of the phases in nanosized CuO-ZnO oxide system were influenced by calcination temperature and MgO-doping.  Formation of MgO-CuO solid solution enhanced the splitting of CuO crystallites. Doping the investigated system calcined at 400°C with 1.5 mol % MgO increased its S_BET (72%). The conversion of iso-propanol is improved by MgO treatment. The investigated solids behaved mainly as dehydrogenation catalysts yielding acetone.