AbstractOctahedral molecular sieves (OMS-2) are an interesting form of manganese oxide with a 2 × 2 edge sharing tunnel structure and a cation positioned inside. Cryptomelane is an OMS-2 material with K⁺ cations within the crystalline tunnel and has been widely used in catalytic oxidation reactions, due to a mixed valency of Mn³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺ cations. Cryptomelane (K-OMS-2) can be modified by structural incorporation of various dopants and tunnel cations which can enhance the catalytic activity of the material. It also offers to be a promising alternative material for the low temperature emission control of combustion vehicles; particularly during cold start and low temperature conditions of diesel vehicles. In this work we used a one-pot sol–gel route to synthesize a range of manganese oxide based supports doped with Ce and CeZrO₂, as alternative low temperature diesel oxidation catalysts. We have investigated the combination of manganese, ceria and zirconia in mixed oxide catalyst supports. The synthesized samples were loaded with 1 wt% Pt and their activity in the oxidation reactions of CO and C₃H₆, were compared with a commercial diesel oxidation catalyst with the same metal loading. The reductions in CO and C₃H₆ oxidation temperature T₅₀ of 109 K and 81 K respectively was achieved compared to a commercial diesel oxidation catalyst.