The catalytic activity of two manganese(III)-oxazoline complexes [Mn(phox)(2)(CH3OH)(2)]CIO4 and Mn(phox)(3) (Hphox = 2-(2'-hydroxy-lphenyl)oxazoline), was studied in the epoxidation of various olefins. All of epoxidation reactions were carried out in (1:1) mixture of methanol: dichloromethane at room temperature using urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) as oxidant and imidazole as co-catalyst. The epoxide yields clearly demonstrate the influence of steric and electronic properties of olefins, the catalysts and nitrogenous bases as axial ligand. [Mn(phox)(2)(CH3OH)(2)]CIO4 catalyst with low steric properties has higher catalytic activity than Mn(phox)(3). The highest epoxide yield (95%) was achieved for indene at the presence of [Mn(phox)(2)(CH3OH)(2)]CIO4 within 5 min. The proximal and distal interactions of strong pi-donor axial ligands such as imidazole with the active intermediate are efficiently increased activity of the catalytic system. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.