The oxidation of 1-butene by nitrous oxide over manganese(II1) oxide was studied in a continuous flow system from 573 to 673 K. Kinetic parameters were derived from the exponential relationship: r = ka P::~P:~;, over reactant partial pressure ranges, 0.30 < PN20 < 2.60 kPa and 0.43 < PC,,, < 8.27 kPa. The reaction mechanism proposed involves a complex sequence of steps which include surface radical reactions. On the basis of a comparison of specific reaction rates, the catalytic activity series for the reaction over a number of transition metal oxides was: Introduction The catalytic performance of manganese oxides in several redox reactions involving hydrocarbons with oxygen or nitrogen oxides has been reported recently. The work has included the oxidation of ethane by nitric oxide over unsupported manganese(II1) oxide (1) and the oxidation of 1-butene and ethane by oxygen over manganese(II1) oxide supported on carbon fibres (2). The results of these experiments pointed to complex surface mechanisms with rate-controlling steps most probably associated with the interactions of species within the adsorbed layer.In the present investigation an attempt has been made to evaluate the kinetics of the catalysis of 1-butene by nitrous oxide over manganese(II1) oxide. Measurements of reaction rates were supplemented by structural analysis. A general comparison of the catalytic activities in the reaction of metal oxides of the first transition series has also been carried out.