Mesoporous silica anchored with 25 wt.% 12-tungstophosphoric acid (H3PW12O40, HPW) were comparatively characterized on their structures and catalytic activities for benzaldehyde oxidation with H2O2. The results revealed that the mesoporous materials retained the typical hexagonal mesopores for the supports of HPW. It was found that HPW exhibited higher dispersion within MCM-41 than those within SBA-15 and other mesoporous molecular sieves. Moreover, the as-prepared materials were found to be the efficient catalysts for the green synthesis of benzoic acid. In particular, HPW/MCM-41 exhibited the best catalytic properties due to its suitable textural and structural characteristics. (C) 2014 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.