This work presents the spectroscopic characterization and reaction studies of a Fe-III-complex (2) of a tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (1, 15,15-dimethyl-5,8,13,17-tetrahydro-5,8,13,17-tetraaza-dibenzo[ a,g]cyclotridecene- 6,7,14,16-tetraone). 2 was characterized primarily by means of EPR. In agreement with the magnetic moment (mu(eff) = 3.87 BM), EPR spectroscopy of 2 shows signals consistent with S = 3/2 intermediate- spin ferric-iron. Besides EPR, mass spectrometry, UV/vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to further characterize 2. 2 is soluble in water and activates hydrogen peroxide under ambient conditions. 2 catalytically bleaches dyes, pulp and paper effluents and oxidizes several amines to their corresponding N-oxides with high turnover number and good yields. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.