In this study a new biomimetic lignin-peroxidase-like catalyst was investigated. Such a heterogeneous catalyst could be of potential interest for oxidative degradation of plant effluents, containing soluble lignin derivatives. 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-sulfonato-phenyl)porphine-Mn(III) was coordinated to imidazole-bearing silica to give a stable adduct; by contrast, the metalloporphine did not significantly interact with plain silica gel or aminopropylsilica. The adduct showed a remarkable ability to catalyze veratryl alcohol oxidation at the expenses of H2O2. Kinetic and operational characterisation of the catalyst is also reported. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.