Two novel Cu(II) complexes were synthesized through the reaction of 2-aminomethyl pyridine (AMP) with CuCl2 center dot 2H(2)O by changing the metal/ligand ratio. Their structures were thoroughly characterized by FT-IR, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction method. The results revealed that complex 1 [Cu(AMP)Cl-2] consists of isolated binuclear molecules unit and displays distorted tetragonal pyramid. Complex 2 [Cu(AMP)(2)(H2O)(2)]Cl-2 exhibits a octahedral geometry. The complexes were both evaluated as catalysts in the tetralin oxidation with TBHP as oxidant. Complex 1 showed high catalytic activity and selectivity towards alpha-tetralone under mild conditions. Thus, under the optimized conditions (acetonitrile 10 ml, catalyst 0.045 mmol, tetralin 4.5 mmol, 65% TBHP 22.5 mmol, T = 50 degrees C), the conversion of tetralin reached 89% with a selectivity of 71% towards alpha-tetralone. Compared with complex 1, complex 2 displayed low catalytic activity mainly due to the strong steric hindrance from the two coordinated 2-aminomethyl pyridine molecules. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.