A tetradentate complex 3-[N,N'-bis-3-(salicylidenamino)ethyltriamine] vanadium(IV), VO(Salten) was grafted onto MCM-41 through a covalently linked organic moiety. This covalently anchored complex was characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric (TG-DTA) and BET measurements. The structure of the support was retained after anchoring the complex. Based on the spectroscopic evidences it was envisaged that the complex retains its structure inside the channels and it hangs like a pendant inside MCM-41. This anchored complex allowed the catalytic oxidation of adamantane using urea hydroperoxide (UHP) as the oxidizing agent at 60degreesC and atmospheric pressure. The reaction conditions have been optimized towards maximum conversion by varying different parameters. No leaching of the complex was observed after the reaction. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.