The reaction takes place on Cd-containing Lewis sites, whereas the irreversible adsorption and condensation of product acetaldehyde on acidic OH groups of Cd-X, FAU catalyst results in deactivation. Preadsorbed ammonia moderates the deactivation, because it reacts with acetylene, and pyridine homologues are formed which block the accessible OH groups. Since in divalent cationic forms of clinoptilolite no OH groups are generated, Cd-clinoptilolite proved to be a catalyst of permanent activity.