Two types of SBA-15 mesoporous silica were functionalized with different nitrogen-carbon chain lengths (long and short-chain) and then used as solid supports for immobilization of manganese(III) complex of meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine, [SBA-15-short-chain-NH2@Mn(TCPP)OAc] and [SBA-15-long-chain-NH2@Mn(TCPP)OAc]. The prepared catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR and UV vis spectroscopy. The loading of catalyst onto porous materials was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Thermal analysis also demonstrated that the immobilized catalysts are thermally stable up to almost 400 degrees C. A comparative study based on the difference in chain length of the functional groups of SBA-15 in the oxidation of olefins was carried out in the presence of urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) as oxidant and acetic anhydride as an activator. The novel long-chain catalyst was designed to improve performance of the catalytic activity. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.