The dioxygen affinities and biomimetic catalytic performance of transition-metal complexes with (15-crown-5) salophen and its substituted derivatives were examined. The oxygenation constants of Co(II) complexes with crowned bis-Schiff bases were measured and their Mn(III) complexes were employed as models to mimic monooxygenase in catalytic epoxidation of styrene. The highest conversion and selectivity were up to 57.2% and 100% respectively at ambient temperature and pressure. The effects of crown ether ring and substituents R on the dioxygen affinities and catalytic activities were also investigated through comparing with the uncrowned analogues.