In this study, the preparation and catalytic application of tetra-substituted carboxyl iron phthalocyanine (FeC4Pc)-loading magnetic silica nanotubes (MSNTs) in oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of benzothiophene was investigated. The resulting materials FeC4Pc-MSNTs integrate the advantages of silica nanotubes and superparamagnetic characteristics, which exhibited excellent catalytic activity and reusability. Under the best operating condition for the catalytic oxidative desulfurization, the sulfur content in model oil was reduced from 600 ppm to 35 ppm with 94% of total sulfur. Our work herein reveals that the surface functionalized MSNTs will be a promising platform as catalyst carriers. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.