A method and catalyst for forming higher alcohols from lower alcohol feedstocks. In one application a highly selective and stable copper pseudo-single-atom supported on MgO—Al2O3 catalyst is provided which provides ethanol condensation to higher alcohols at ˜50% yields and ˜85% selectivity is demonstrated with stable catalyst lifetime over 500 hours in a continuous flow system. In some applications a Guerbet condensation process is further utilized to yield a higher alcohol at a selectivity of near ˜90%.