Low-temperature combustion of various organic compounds on Pt/SO42-/ZrO2 and Pd/SO42-/ZrO2 was studied. For these organic compounds, especially saturated hydrocarbons, the combustion activities of Pt/SO42-/ZrO2 are higher than those of Pt/Al2O3. Pt/SO42-/ZrO2 combustion catalysts can be used in a wide range of space velocity and oxygen content. The catalytic activity is enhanced with an increase of Pt loading from 0.1 to 1.0 wt%. The superacidity of the support material is responsible for the improvement in activity rather than an increase in catalyst surface area or metal dispersion. Pd/SO42-/ZrO2 are less active than Pt/SO42-/ZrO2.