Heterogeneous catalytic wet oxidation of aqueous p-chlorophenol (p-CP) solution was investigated at 453 K and 2.6 MPa in a slurry reactor. The performance of noble metal catalysts was compared with that of traditional manganese catalysts. Activated carbon supported catalysts showed significant higher activities for total organic carbon (TOC) reduction than those supported on alumina or cerium oxide. Pt was found to be the most active metal for p-chlorophenol oxidation. The activities of noble metal catalysts were found to correlate with heat of formation of metal oxides. CO2 is the predominant oxidation product with formation of minor p-benzoquinone and acetic acid as intermediate compounds. Possible reaction pathway was also discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.