Birnessite type layered MnO 6 oxides with increased crystallinity were synthesized from six carbohydrates and three dihydric phenols viz., dextrose, starch, fructose, galactose, maltose, lactose, catechol, resorcinol, quinol and KMnO 4 through the formation of a sol-gel. All of the MnO 6 oxides were characterized by powder XRD. The strong signal at 2h $ 12 corresponding to 7.4 Å refers to the Mn-Mn distance between the adjacent layers. The interlayer volume is dispersed with K + ions and H 2 O molecules. The presence of interlayer K + ions is indicated by a signal at 25°, corresponding to a distance of 3.5 Å . IR spectra of the oxides show signature bands at ca. 500 cm )1 due to the stretching modes occurring for MnO 6 entity. A broad band observed at ca. 3300 cm )1 is due to interlayer water molecules. Thermal analysis indicated three stage decomposition with the formation of MnO 2 at ca. 600°C through the intermediate formation of Mn(OH) n . The MnO 6 exhibited a remarkable CO 2 scrubbing ability, which has also been investigated.