The selective oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol (TMP) and 2-methyl-1-naphthol (MNL) with H2O2 catalyzed by titanium single-site catalysts, TiO2-SiO2 aerogel and mesostructured hydrothermally stable titanium-silicate, Ti-MMM-2, have been studied by means of EPR spectroscopic technique with spin traps. The formation of phenoxyl (naphthoxyl) and hydroxyl radical intermediates during the oxidation process have been detected using 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzene-sulfonic acid (DBNBS) and 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyffoline-N-oxide (DMPO) spin traps, respectively. The character of the EPR spectra of the DBNBS adducts strongly depends on the nature of the organic substrate and the reaction temperature. A compilation of the EPR and by-product studies strongly supports a homolytic oxidation mechanism. Study by DR-UV-vis spectroscopy has confirmed the previously suggested chemical adsorption of phenol on the titanium center. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.