Manganese-copper layered double hydroxides prepared following a conventional procedure were investigated for the selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural into 2,5-diformylfuran. After checking the effect of the different parameters it has been found that a composition corresponding to Mn-0.70 Cu0.05Al0.25, of the catalyst already calcined, led to the highest conversion (90%) and selectivity (87% in DFF). Noteworthy, this has been achieved working under mild aqueous conditions (90 degrees C and 8 bars O-2). The performances of the catalysts were closely associated to the strength of the basic sites. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.