V-MCM-41 with high content of vanadium in the framework was synthesized by using direct hydrothermal method under alkaline condition. Tartaric acid is the complexing reagent, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide is the structure-directing agent. The samples were characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, N-2 adsorption-desorption, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. The catalytic performance for the selective oxidation of cyclohexane was also examined. The results showed that the vanadium atoms were successfully introduced into the MCM-41 framework and the vanadium content reached up to 8.1 wt.%. Moreover, the V-MCM-41 samples possessed regular and stable structure with high specific surface area (692-939 m(2) g(-1)), large pore diameter (3.6-4.6 nm) and large pore volume (0.86-0.95 cm(3) g(-1)). The samples exhibited excellent catalytic performance of up to 22.57% cyclohexane conversion and 99.53% selectivity for cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol in the cyclohexane oxidation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.