Aiming at the synthesis of gasoline in a single reaction stage, the conversion of synthesis gas was studied over several spatial arrangements of the catalyst components required for the synthesis of dimethyl ether and for the subsequent formation of hydrocarbons. At pressures of 40bar and temperatures between 270°C and 350°C, extruded catalyst bodies of Cu/ZnO/γ-alumina and of H-ZSM-5/γ-alumina were employed as well as trifunctional composite extrudates of Cu/ZnO/γ-alumina/H-ZSM-5. Using physical mixtures or trifunctional composite catalyst, carbon monoxide conversions can be achieved far above thermodynamic equilibrium levels because dimethyl ether is continuously withdrawn upon conversion to hydrocarbons. However, light hydrocarbon products are prevailing, and gasoline selectivities are very low. In sequential arrangements of copper- (up-flow) and zeolite-based (down-flow) catalysts, boosting of the CO conversion is not possible, but the product distribution is shifted to higher hydrocarbons. The highest gasoline yields were obtained when the copper and zeolite containing catalyst layers were divided in two different temperature zones operating at 270°C up-flow and at 350°C down-flow.