Goethite, hematite, magnetite and synthesized iron oxide are used as catalysts for Fenton-type oxidation of phenol. The synthesized iron oxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The catalytic activity of these materials is classified according to the observed rate of phenol oxidation. The effectiveness of the catalysts followed the sequence: ferrous ion > synthesized iron oxide >> magnetite hematite > goethite. According to these results, the most effective iron oxide catalyst had the structure similar to natural hematite. The surface oxidation state of the catalyst was between magnetite and hematite (+2.5 ~ +3.0). Phenol degraded completely in 40 min at neutral pH (pH = 7). Soluble ferric and ferrous ions were not detected in the filtrate from Fenton reaction solution by AAS. The formation of hydroxyl radicals was confirmed by EPR.