A series of carbon-supported Cu-Co oxide catalysts (Cu-Co/C) were prepared via the combination methods of impregnation and pyrolysis using Co-doped Cu-based metal organic framework (Cu-3(BTC)(2)center dot 3H(2)O, Cu-BTC) precursor. Physicochemical properties of prepared catalysts were characterized by using various technologies and toluene was chosen as the probe molecule to evaluate their catalytic performance. Results revealed that the successive calcination in Ar and air was conducive to the formation of 3D porous carbon matrix and homogeneous elemental dispersion. The Cu-Co/C catalysts with spinel structure exhibited higher catalytic activity than that of Cu-500/C material. Moreover, CuCo0.5/C material exhibited superior catalytic durability and water resistance in catalytic oxidation of toluene. The excellent catalytic performance of CuCo0.5/C was mainly related to large specific surface area, high amounts of surface chemisorbed active oxygen and high ratio of Co2+/Co3+. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.