Layered clays modified or not modified and promoted with copper cations were studied in catalytic oxidation of ethanol, representing volatile organic compounds (VOC). The influence of preparative steps, such as acidic activation and pillaring was considered. The catalysts were characterized by the low-temperature sorption of N(2), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and tested in the reaction of the ethanol oxidation. The promotion with CuO is the most important step in the preparation of catalysts and proved to increase their activity and selectivity. The pillared clays promoted with CuO are promising catalysts for ethanol oxidation. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.