The synthesis procedure and characterization of a mesoporous carbon obtained from biomass waste by a simple method, generating a low-cost material, with the corresponding waste revaluation are described. The use of phosphoric acid during the activation of the waste material induces the presence of stable phosphate groups, with acid characteristics, on the surface of the mesoporous carbon, which could find many applications as an acid solid catalyst. In addition, such phosphate groups increase the stability of the carbon material under oxidizing conditions at relatively high temperatures, increasing the range of catalytic applications in which this material could be used. This paper also shows how the redox functionality can be incorporated on the surface of this carbon material by impregnation with vanadium oxide species. The corresponding carbon supported vanadium oxide catalyst is active and relatively selective in the propylene partial oxidation to oxygenates. It is also discussed how the catalytic behavior of such vanadium-containing catalysts can be improved by the use of Zr as dopant. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.