The addition of phenols to styrene to form ortho and para-(1-phenylethyl) phenols was catalysed by a range of metal oxide nanoparticles supported on mesoporous aluminosilicates (M/Al-SBA-15 catalysts) under microwave irradiation. Moderate to excellent yields to products could be obtained at short times of reaction (typically 10min). 0.5%Fe/Al-SBA-15 as readily available, environmentally friendly and cheap catalysts exhibited remarkable improvements in yield as compared to the majority of utilized catalysts. The heterogeneous catalyst can be reused at least three times without a significant loss in activity. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.