The catalytic performance of manganese and cerium oxides synthesized by an exotemplating method was evaluated in the total oxidation of ethyl acetate, ethanol and toluene. The addition of gold to cerium and manganese oxides improved their catalytic activity in most cases, especially in the case of ceria materials. The best catalysts were able to totally convert ethanol, ethyl acetate and toluene to 100% of CO2 at 230 degrees C, 250 degrees C and 300 degrees C, respectively, using a space velocity of 53,050 h(-1) and a feed VOC concentration of 1000 mg C m(-3) (10 mg C min(-1) gcat(-1)). Both the pure oxides and gold catalysts were found to be stable. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.