Transition metal ion incorporated MCM-41 has been found to be active for catalytic epoxidation of aromatic olefins (trans-stilbene) and oxidation of aromatic compound (anthracene). The Cr-MCM-41 catalyst was the best in comparison to the other isomorphously substituted MCM-41. t-Butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) has shown better performance at around 80 degreesC in benzene as a solvent. The highest conversion of 79.3% of anthracene was observed with more than 90% selectivity of the product. Cr-MCM-41 could be used for the reaction without decrease in the catalytic activity. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.