Mn(III) and Co(II)-schiff base complexes were immobilized over mesoporous alumina through the reaction of mesoporous alumina functionalized 3-aminopropyl triethoxy silane (3-APTES) and salicylic aldehyde via schiff base condensation. The surface properties of the functionalized catalysts were analyzed by a series of characterization techniques like elemental analysis, PXRD, FTIR, N(2) adsorption-desorption, TG-DTG, DR UV-vis, XPS, etc. PXRD and adsorption-desorption analysis shows that the mesostructure of alumina remains intact after various modifications, while spectral technique show the successful anchoring of the neat complexes inside the porous alumina support. The catalytic activity of the functionalized metal-salen complexes examined in the liquid phase oxidation of styrene and cyclohexene shows that the functionalized salen complexes are more active and selective than the corresponding neat metal complexes. Further, the catalyst (Mn-S-NH(2)-MA) was recycled three times in the oxidation of styrene and no major change in the conversion and selectivity is observed, which shows that the immobilized metal-salen complexes are stable under the present reaction conditions. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.