Nanoscale LaFeO 3 was prepared via sol–gel method and characterized by XRD, FTIR and N 2 adsorption/desorption experiment. The results indicated that, LaFeO 3 had a typical perovskite structure with a BET area of 8.5m 2 /g. LaFeO 3 exhibited excellent Fenton activity and stability for the degradation of pharmaceuticals and herbicides in water, as demonstrated with sulfamethoxazole, phenazone, phenytoin, acyclovir and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2-chlorophenol. Among them, sulfamethoxazole (SMX) could be completely removed in LaFeO 3 –H 2 O 2 system after reaction for 120min at neutral pH. Based on the ATR–FTIR analysis, the surface complex of LaFeO 3 and H 2 O 2 was formed, which was important and essential for the enhanced Fenton reaction by accelerating the cycle of Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ . Hence, more OH and O 2 − /HO 2 − were then produced in LaFeO 3 –H 2 O 2 system, resulting in more efficient removal of refractory organic compounds. Based on the surface interaction of LaFeO 3 and H 2 O 2 , a heterogeneous Fenton reaction mechanism was proposed.