Herein, a novel nanocage catalyst of a porous MnCeO delta/Co-3 Omicron(4)-NC polyhedral derived from a Co-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) was synthesized and its catalytic performance for toluene oxidation was evaluated. This composite of the MnCeO delta/Co3O4-NC catalyst presents a high toluene conversion of 95% at 230 degrees C with a weight hourly space velocity of 40 000 mL g(-1) h(-1). In addition, the reaction rate based on the catalyst surface area of the MnCeO delta/Co3O4-NC catalyst was 3.138 x 10(-2) mmol m(-2) h(-1). Meanwhile, the MnCeO delta/Co3O4-NC catalyst also shows a lower apparent activation energy of the reaction (E-a) of 56.10 kJ mol(-1). According to the characterization results, the specific surface area, the interaction between MnCeO delta solid solution and Co3O4-NC, the low-temperature reducibility, and the concentration of surface active oxygen confinement that originates from MnCeO delta/Co3O4-NC proves that this catalyst has superior activity for toluene oxidation.