Surface-grafted manganese–oxo species on the walls of MCM-41 channels—a novel oxidation catalyst

Manganese–oxo species grafted onto the internal walls of MCM-41 channels, showing a high redox catalytic activity for hydrocarbon oxidation, are prepared via the reaction of Mn2(CO)10 with Si–OH groups on the surface of mesoporous silica followed by subsequent heat treatment in air.