Catalytic combustion of acetone, methanol and 2-propanol as model volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been measured over manganese-modified, hydrophobic TiO2-SiO2 Mixed oxides in the temperature range 373-573 K. The complete decomposition of VOCs at relatively low temperature range and no loss of catalytic activity in time-on-stream study depends on the surface area, surface oxygen and hydrophobic properties of the samples. CO2 and H2O are detected as the only combustion products of acetone and methanol at all reaction temperatures. In case of 2-propanol, acetone and di-isopropylether are detected as by-products. It is observed that manganese-modified, hydrophobic TiO2-SiO2 mixed oxides are effective enough for the destruction of VOCs and can be considered as low-temperature oxidation catalysts. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.