A series of sulfate, different metal promoted SO42-/Fe2O3 catalysts were prepared and (FF-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). All catalysts exhibit good catalytic activity for the electrochemical reaction of toluene with methanol assisted with a pair of porous graphite plane electrodes and chemical conversion higher than 80% was observed. In particular, molybdate promoted catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic activity. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.