Cr(III), Fe(III), Bi(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes of N,N'-bis(salicylidene)propane-1,3-diamine (H(2)salpn) encapsulated in Y-zeolite were prepared by flexible ligand method. These complexes were characterized by chemical and thermal analyses, FT-IR and electronic spectral studies and their XRD pattern. The encapsulated materials are active catalysts for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and for the oxidation of phenol using H2O, as oxidant with good selectivity. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.