A method of destroying an organic compound in liquid media comprising: contacting said liquid media with a catalyst of formula: nN/Ce.sub.1-xZr.sub.cB.sub.bB'.sub.b'B''.sub.b''O.sub.2-.delta. wherein n is a percentage from 0 to 25; N is one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Re, Os and Ir; x=b+b'+b''+c; b, b', and b'' are each, independently of one another, 0 to 0.99; x.ltoreq.0.7; B, B' and B'' are independently selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Cr, Ni, Au, Ag and Cu; c is between 0 and 0.2; .delta. is a number which renders the catalyst charge neutral; provided that at least one of b, b' and b'' is nonzero; provided that when B is Mn, b' or c or n is nonzero at a temperature and pressure sufficient to destroy an organic compound is provided. Also provided are catalyst compositions for destroying at least one organic compound in liquid media comprising a catalyst and a support.