This study investigates methanol partial oxidation over LaMnO3 and LaMn0.95B0.05O3 (B = Pd, Pt, and Rh) perovskites. Their surface and bulk properties were characterized by appropriate physicochemical techniques including BET surface area measurement, XRD, EDS, XPS, H-2-TPR, TPO, O-2-TPD, and CH3OH-TPD. Results show significant differences in reducibility and oxygen activity between promoted and untainted LaMnO3. Promoted perovskites showed higher reactivity than pure LaMnO3. Results suggest that a redox pathway enhances partial oxidation to formaldehyde while oxygen activity, particularly surface chemisorbed oxygen, plays a central role in combustion. This study also reveals a plausible reaction mechanism of methanol partial oxidation over LaMnO3-based perovskites. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.