Nanosized Cu-Mn composite oxide catalysts were prepared from potassium permanganate, cop-per nitrate, n-butanol, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a manganese source, coppersource, reducing agent, and surfactant, respectively. The Cu-0.2-Mn sample possessed a smallparticle size (10-40 nm) and a relatively high specific surface area (46.24 m(2)<middle dot>g(-1)); its maincomponents were Cu(1.5)Mn(1.5)O(4)and Mn3O4. As a consequence, the Cu0.2-Mn catalyst exhib-ited good catalytic activity in the oxidation of toluene. At a toluene concentration of 1000 ppmand a space velocity of 60,000 mL<middle dot>g(-1)<middle dot>h(-1), theT50andT90of the Cu-0.2-Mn catalyst towardtoluene were 239degree celsius and 250degree celsius , respectively. Furthermore, even after 30 h of operation at 275 degrees C,the conversion of toluene was 99% (at the space velocity of 60,000 mL<middle dot>g(-1)<middle dot>h(-1)).