© 2020 Elsevier B.V. A series of samarium (Sm) doped cerium oxide (x% Sm/CeO2) catalysts were prepared by pyrolysis of Sm containing Ce-based metal organic framework (Sm/Ce-MOF) precursor and applied for catalytic oxidation of toluene. The obtained catalysts were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, BET, Raman, XPS, H2-TPR, O2-TPD, and their catalytic activities were evaluated by oxidation of toluene over them. It was found that doping of Sm increased the concentration of oxygen vacancy as well as the low temperature reducibility, thereby improved the catalytic performance. Moreover, among the prepared Sm doped CeO2 catalysts, the 1% Sm/CeO2 catalyst showed the best performance for the oxidation of toluene with conversions of 50 % and 100 % at temperatures of 194 and 222 °C respectively under a WHSV of 60,000 mL/(g·h). In addition, the 1% Sm/CeO2 catalyst also exhibited excellent stability and high toleration to the moisture.