Synthesis procedures are described for the complexes [M(L-H)(AcO)(H2O)(2)] (M(II) = Mn, Ni), [M(L-H)Cl-n(H2O)(m)] (M = Fe(III), n = 2, m = 2; M = Pd(II), n = 1, m = 1; m = Ag(I), n = 0, m = 2) and [M(L-H)(2)(H2O)(n)] (M = Co(II), n = 2; M = Cu(II), [WO2](2+), n=0) where L is the Schiff-base derived from salicylaldehyde and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysaline (APTSsal) that is chemically anchored on Y-zeolite. Characterization of these complexes was accomplished by elemental analyses, infrared and diffuse-reflectance spectra and magnetic moment. The anchored Schiff-bases imposed stable planar coordination sphere on the metal ions, allowing epoxidation of 1-octene in the axial position in the presence of molecular oxygen. The epoxidation of 1-octene was also achieved by employing the partly modified Y-zeolite with n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) Schiff-base complexes in the presence of 30% H2O2 under a phase-boundary system. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.