A tetradendate amide based macrocyclic ligand and its Fe(III) complex which act as activators of hydrogen peroxide. The synthetic methodology to develop the ligands is new, simple and provides better yield for each step of the ligand synthesis. The Fe(III)-complexes and hydrogen peroxide together are can perform several environmentally benign oxidation reactions. Organic dye bleaching, bleaching of pulp and paper effluent and N-oxide synthesis may be performed using the newly developed catalyst and hydrogen peroxide. Alcohol oxidation and alkene epoxidation may also be performed using the catalysts and hydrogen peroxide.