In order to enhance the catalytic activity and improve the stability of Mn-Al oxides in acetone oxidation, it is interesting to have found that modulating and accelerating the rate-limiting step by Al substitution rather than just mixing of Mn and Al is crucial for hydrocarbon efficient catalytic destruction. Here, a series of Mn-Al oxides with different Al substitution ratios were prepared by a scalable and facile hydrothermal-redox strategy. The reaction rate, selectivity, and stability of the representative α-MnO