In this study, CeO2@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles have been synthesized and used as supports to graft cobalt porphyrin via an amide bond. The catalyst was characterized using techniques such as FT-IR, UV-vis, SEM, TEM and BET. The results show that the catalyst was composed of regular nanoparticles (around 50 nm) with a core-shell structure. In addition, the catalyst exhibits an excellent activity, selectivity and stability for solvent-free selective oxidation of diphenylmethane with atmospheric pressure of oxygen. The conversion of diphenylmethane was as high as 41.6% with selectivity to diphenyl ketone of 96.3%. Even after reused up to 6 times, the catalyst maintained stable working ability. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.