Catalytic decomposition of N2O was studied on Na-MOR, H-MOR, and Na-MFI samples exchanged to various extents with cobalt or copper. Co-MOR samples were characterized by FTIR and volumetric measurements of NO adsorption. The most abundant species on Co-MOR was Co2+(NO)(2). In agreement, the volumetric data yielded NO/Co = 1.8 +/- 0.2. On Co-MOR, N2O conversion progressively increased as the cobalt content increased. All samples yielded similar apparent activation energy, E-a = 75 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1). The reaction order was 0.9 +/- 0.1 for N2O, and 0.0 +/- 0.1 for O-2. For samples having a Co-exchange percentage up to 61%, the turnover frequency per total Co atom was independent of the cobalt content and was significantly lower for more extensively exchanged samples. On all Co-MOR samples, the turnover frequency per isolated Co atom was nearly constant, indicating isolated Co2+ as the active site. On Cu-MOR and Cu-MFI samples, N2O conversion markedly increased with the copper contet. Samples having a Cu-exchange percentage up to 62% yielded higher E-a. than more extensively exchanged samples (150 5 kJ mol-1 vs. 100 5 kJ mol-1). The reaction order was 0.5 +/- 0.1 for N2O, and 0.0 0.1 for O-2. We conclude that in Co-MOR and Co-MFI catalysts the active site for N2O decomposition is isolated Co2+, whereas in Cu-MOR and Cu-MFI isolated Cu2+ is nearly inactive. In extensively exchanged Cu-MOR and Cu-MFI, the active site for N2O decomposition is most probably Cu1+. A similar reaction mechanism for N2O decomposition operates over Co-zeolites and extensively exchanged Cu-zeolites. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.