A series of novel hydroxamic acid complexes (ML 1 2 $ ML 3 2 , M¼Co II , Mn III Cl) containing benzo-15-crown-5 and their analogues, ML 4 2 , were successfully synthesized starting from benzo-15-crown-5 (B15C5) or 1,2-dimethoxybenzene. Their structures were characterized by 1 H-NMR, IR, and MS as well as by elemental analysis. Moreover, the saturated oxygen uptake of their cobalt(II) complexes, CoL 1 2 -CoL 4 2 , in diethyleneglycol dimethyl ether was determined over the )5 to +20°C range. The oxygenation constants (Ko 2 ) and thermodynamic parameters (DH 0 and DS 0 ) were calculated. Meanwhile, the corresponding Mn (III) hydroxamates were employed as models of monooxygenase to catalyze PhCH¼CH 2 epoxidation at ambient temperature and pressures. The effects of pendant B15C5 and adding sodium cation on the O 2 -binding capabilities, and the catalytic oxidation performance of the complexes (ML 1 2 $ ML 3 2 ), were investigated and compared with the uncrowned analogue ML 4 2 . The results indicated that the B15C5-functionalized Co(II) complexes (CoL 1 2 $ CoL 3 2 ) showed high activity in the dioxygen affinities, and the MnL 1 2 Cl exhibited the best catalytic activity: the conversion of PhCH@CH 2 and epoxidation selectivity were up to 27.14%, 100% respectively.