Disclosed are catalytic compositions having from about 35% to about 75% of Cu by weight, from about 15% to about 35% of Al by weight, and about 5% to about 20% of Mn by weight. The catalytic compositions are bulk homogeneous compositions formed from extruding and calcinating a powder formed from a precipitation reaction of Cu(NO3)2, Mn(NO3)2, Na2Al2O3. The catalytic compositions have one or more crystalline phases of one or more of CuO and CuxMn(3-x)O4, where x is from about 1 to about 1.5, or both. The catalytic compositions are useful for the conversion of 1,4-butane-di-ol to γ-butyrolactone by a dehydrogenation reaction.