Copper-manganese ferrites with nominal compositions Cu1-xMnxFe2O4, where x= 0; 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8 and 1 are synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion method. Formation of ferrites with cubic spinel structure and crystallite size of 11-26 nm was observed. A decrease of iron located in tetrahedral positions with the increase of Mn content in ferrite structure was found. The prepared ferrite materials are tested as catalysts in water-gas shift reaction (WGSR) and methanol decomposition (MD). The samples are arranged according the WGS activity in following order: Cu0.8Mn0.2Fe2O4> Cu0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4> CuFe2O4 > Cu0.2Mn0.8Fe2O4> MnFe2O4. All mixed copper-manganese ferrites exhibit higher catalytic activity in methanol decomposition as compared to single CuFe2O4 and MnFe2O4 ones. A significant phase transformation With ferrites under the reduction reaction medium which influences the formation of real catalytic active phase is registered. Formation of magnetite or Mn-substituted magnetite is registered during the WGSR, while iron carbides and Mn-rich oxides are the dominant phases during the MD reaction. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.