Single crystal α-Mn₂O₃ nanowires were prepared through a simple one-pot molten salt route. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, HR-TEM and other techniques. The α-Mn₂O₃ nanowires display high aspect ratios with diameter about 10–50 nm and length about 20 μm. The formation mechanism was also investigated based on the time-dependent experiments. The prepared Mn₂O₃ nanowires exhibit excellent catalytic performance on the catalytic oxidation of CO.