Fe-MCM-41 with varying Si/Fe ratios (20, 50, 70 and 90) were prepared by using cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) as the structure-directing agent (SDA), tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as the silica source and ethanol as co-surfactant in alkaline medium. The characterization was done by SEM: UV-vis diffused reflectance and FT-IR. Adsorption of copper solutions with varying parameters such as concentration, temperature and pH were performed over Fe-MCM-41 samples. The experimental data fitted well to the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Fe-MCM-41 having Si/Fe ratio (90) showed highest copper adsorption capacity at pH 5.5. Cu2+ concentration of 59.6 ppm and temperature 323 K. Fe-MCM-41(90)-Cu(59.6) was tested as a catalyst for oxidation of adamantane using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. The GC analyses revealed significant conversion of 32.5% and selectivity of 54% towards formation of 1-adamantanol. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.