This investigation focuses mainly on the use of a synthetic cryptomelane type manganese octahedral molecular sieve, OMS-2, as a catalyst for the total oxidation of ethyl acetate. OMS-2 was found to be a highly efficient catalyst giving 100% conversion and selectivity to CO2, the final oxidation product. In addition, it was stable with time on stream and resistant to coking. A mechanism is proposed to explain the high selectivity. Presence of Mn4+-O2- Lewis acid-base pairs, ability of Mn to exist as a redox couple, viz. Mn4+/Mn3+ and availability of facile lattice oxygen, seem to facilitate the oxidation process. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.