The activity of cobalt-containing catalysts based on sulfated zirconium dioxide in selective catalytic reduction of NO by methane depends on the amount of sulfur and the preparation method. Modification by Fe and Mn improves the catalytic behavior of SO42-/ZrO2 as a result of the increase in the concentration of active sites. The SCR-activity of the oxide catalysts based on zirconium dioxide depends on the chemical nature and strength of redox and acid centers of the catalysts. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.