Highly crystalline LaBx O-3 (B = Co, Mn) perovskites are produced through a simple non-aqueous benzyl alcohol (BA) route. Textural properties of BA-derived materials were compared to those obtained for solids of comparable composition, prepared by classical citric acid complexation method. Oxygen mobility in synthesized materials was evaluated by oxygen isotopic (O-18) exchange (OIE). Perovskites obtained with the BA route shows much larger specific surface area, smaller crystallite size and superior oxygen mobility. Such improvement in properties is in favor of low temperature catalytic oxidation, as evaluated by CO oxidation. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.