In this study, a Schiff-base-manganese complexes containing crown ether ring synthesized, immobilized on nanocellulose (MnL2@nanocellulose) and characterized by FT-IR, H–NMR, EDX, UV–Vis, microanalysis (CHN and ICP) and SEM. This catalyst was used for the oxidation of benzyl alcohols and its performance was compared with the analogue without crown ether (MnL1@nanocellulose). The results showed that MnL2@nanocellulose had much better catalytic activity despite the lower Mn content