The LaMnO3 and LaB0.2Mn0.8O3 (B = Co, Ni, Fe) perovskite-type oxides were prepared by the conventional co-precipitation method and studied as catalysts for the oxidation of vinyl chloride emission in the temperature range of 50-350 degrees C. Their physicochemical properties were characterized by ICP-AES, N-2 adsorption, XRD, H-2-TPR, O-2-TPD and XPS. Catalytic performances were evaluated for the oxidation of 1000 ppm of VC in air at a GHSV of 15,000 h(-1). The substituted LaB0.2Mn0.8O3 samples showed higher catalytic activity than pure LaMnO3. Characterization results revealed that the catalytic activity of the perovskite oxides was greatly related to the low-temperature reducibility of the B site and the amount of adsorbed oxygen species and vacancies on the surface. The surface adsorbed oxygen species played a key role in the catalytic reaction and oxygen vacancies promoted the oxygen mobility. A reaction mechanism of vinyl chloride oxidation over LaMnO3-based perovskite oxides was proposed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.