A series Cu/CeO2 catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method. The structure and reduction properties of the catalysts were characterized by physical adsorption(BET), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and H2 temperature programmed reduction(H2-TPR). The catalytic performance of Cu/CeO2 catalysts was investigated for diethanolamine dehydrogenation to iminodiacetic acid. The results showed that Cu3Ce1 catalyst calcined at 500oC with Cu:Ce mole ratio of 3:1 had low reduction temperature, appropriate Cu0 active centers and high catalytic performance for diethanolamine dehydrogenation of iminodiacetic acid. Under the reaction condition of m(DEA):m(NaOH):m(H2O)=1.15:1:2.42, 6g CuO/CeO2 used,reaction temperature of 180oC, reaction pressure of 1.1MPa, reaction time of 4h and rotational speed of 600r/min, the conversion of diethanolamine reached 99.63% and the selectivity of iminodiacetic acid was 95.73%.