Y zeolite encapsulated Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of 3-formylsalicylic acid were synthesized and characterized by chemical analyses, SEM, XRD, surface area, pore volume and IR, reflectance and EPR spectroscopy with a view to confirm the encapsulation of complexes and to arrive at the composition, structure and geometry of encapsulated complexes. The analytical data indicate a composition corresponding to the binuclear complex of 3-formylsalicylic acid. The characterization data show the absence of extraneous complexes, retention of zeolite crystalline structure and encapsulation in the cavities. The shift of carbonyl-stretching frequencies of both the aldehyde and carboxylate groups of 3-formylsalicylic acid suggests binuclear coordination in the encapsulated complexes. Tetrahedral, octahedral and tetrahedrally distorted square planar symmetries are tentatively assigned to the encapsulated complexes of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. Encapsulated Cu(II) complex is catalytically very efficient as compared to other complexes for the partial oxidation of benzyl alcohol and ethylbenzene and is stable to be recycled without much deterioration.