Reaction of the salicylhydrazone of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde (H 2 L 1), anthranylhydrazone of 2hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde (H 2 L 2), benzoylhydrazone of 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone (H 2 L 3) and anthranylhydrazone of 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone (H 2 L 4 ; general abbreviation H 2 L) with [MoO 2 (acac) 2 ] afforded a series of 5-and 6-coordinate Mo(VI) complexes of the type [MoO 2 L 1-2 (ROH)] [where R = C 2 H 5 (1) and CH 3 (2)], and [MoO 2 L 3-4 ] (3 and 4). The substrate binding capacity of 1 has been demonstrated by the formation of one mononuclear mixed-ligand dioxidomolybdenum complex [MoO 2 L 1 (Q)] {where Q = c-picoline (1a)}. Molecular structure of all the complexes (1, 1a, 2, 3 and 4) is determined by X-ray crystallography, demonstrating the dibasic tridentate behavior of ligands. All the complexes show two irreversible reductive responses within the potential window À0.73 to À1.08 V, due to Mo VI /Mo V and Mo V /Mo IV processes. Catalytic potential of these complexes was tested for the oxidation of benzoin using 30% aqueous H 2 O 2 as an oxidant in methanol. At least four reaction products, benzoic acid, benzaldehydedimethylacetal, methyl benzoate and benzil were obtained with the 95-99% conversion under optimized reaction conditions. Oxidative bromination of salicylaldehyde, a functional mimic of haloperoxidases, in aqueous H 2 O 2 /KBr in the presence of HClO 4 at room temperature has also been carried out successfully.