The catalytic properties of perovskite-like ferrites (A_{n + 1}B_nO_{3n + 1}, where n = 1, 2, 3, …, ∞; A = Gd, Sr; and B = Fe) synthesized via ceramic and sol-gel technology in the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide are studied. The interrelation between catalytic activity, selectivity to olefins and synthetic methods for complex oxide preparation, the number of perovskite layers, crystallite size, composition, and the valence state of iron is established.