a b s t r a c tA series of copper manganese oxide catalysts have been investigated for the total oxidation of naphthalene, selected as a model compound for oxidation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Catalysts were prepared by coprecipitation and were calcined at 300, 400, 500 and 600 • C. The catalyst most active and selective towards CO 2 was calcined at 400 • C, and this was related to the formation of a high surface area poorly crystalline CuMn 2 O 4 phase. Catalysts calcined at 500 and 600 • C were less effective in oxidising naphthalene to CO 2 , and their composition of more highly crystalline CuMn 2 O 4 , with Mn 2 O 3 for the 600 • C catalyst, formed partial oxidation products. There was also a direct relationship between the extent of reduction from temperature programmed reduction and catalyst performance.