Catalysis of cyclohexane oxidation by boehmite (BM)-supported iron tetra (pentaflurophenyl)-porphyrin (TPFPP Fe) was investigated. The catalyst was prepared by physical adsorption and chemical coordination of TPFPP Fe to BM and was characterized by XRD, UV-Vis, FT-IR, TEM, FESEM, EPR and TG techniques. The supported catalyst was used for aerobic oxidation of cyclohexane under optimal conditions and its performance was compared with that of BM-supported iron tetraphenyl-porphyrin (TPP Fe) for the same oxidation. The results indicate that the catalytic activity of TPFPP Fe/BM was remarkably higher than that of TPP Fe/BM in terms of efficient recycling and the ketone/alcohol yield. The results are attributed to a complex interaction between iron porphyrin and a microenvironment involving hydrogen bonding, coordination and electron-withdrawing F atoms on the phenyl rings. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.