A series of perovskite-type oxides based on La-Sr-Co (La1-xSrxCoO3) were synthesized by the auto combustion method and used as precursors for the catalytic methane dry reforming (MDR) at 1073 K, atmospheric pressure under continuous flow of reactant gases with a CH4:CO2 = 1:1 ratio. Catalysts were characterized by techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET specific surface area, temperature-programmed reduction-oxidation (TPR-TPO) and scanning-transmission electron microscopy (SEM-TEM). Formation of La-Sr-Co-O solid solutions was confirmed by the more intense diffraction peaks and cell parameter measurements. It was observed that the activation/reduction process occurs through intermediary species producing Co-0 nano-size particles over the SrO and La2O3 phases, which are highly dispersed in the La2O2CO3-SrO solid matrix responsible for the high activity and low carbon formation despite the severe reaction conditions used. The presence of Sr in doping quantities slightly promotes secondary reactions such as carbon formation and water-gas shift retarding partially the dry reforming reaction. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.