Lanthanum perovskites were synthesized by malic acid complexation and different amounts of palladium were added by dry-wet impregnation. Measurements of methane conversion on fresh and SO2-treated perovskite catalysts were made between 25 and 500 degrees C. Methane conversion on fresh catalysts commenced at similar to 300 degrees C, and the best activities were achieved with low loadings of palladium. The B-site metal combinations Mn0.4Fe0.6 and Mn0.6Fe0.4 showed better conversion activity than Mn0.5Fe0.5 and Fe. All fresh perovskite catalysts except those with 10% Pd gave 100% conversion of methane at 500 degrees C. The resistance of 10% Pd perovskite catalysts to sulfur was generally better than that of catalysts with low Pd loadings. This was due to the high Pd coverage on the perovskite surface. Fresh and SO2-treated LaMn0.4Fe0.6O3 perovskite catalysts promoted with 2 and 2.5% of palladium exhibited the highest activities for methane conversion. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.