Fe3+ bipyridine complexes were successfully anchored on the inner surface of the mesopc.res of SBA-15 and compared with those immobilized on the surface of SiO2. Fr-IR, ESR, and XAFS measurements were used to characterize the structure of the formed mu-oxo-bridged binuclear Fe bipyridine complexes inside the mesopores of SBA-15, which were observed to be the active species for the oxidation of cyclohexane. binuclear Fe complexes anchored inside the mesopores of SBA-15 were found to show much Furthermore, higher activity than those anchored on the surface of SiO2. The effect of the presence of the Si-OH groups on the surface of SiO2 on the selectivity for the oxidation of cyclohexane into cyclohexanone also was investigated. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.