We report the preparation of mesoporous titanosilicate with active Ti centres using CTAB as the structure directing agent and ethylenediamine as the complexing agent (TSC-ED). The final material contained isolated Ti4+ centres substituting Si4+ in the mesoporous silica framework. The crucial role played by ethylenediamine in complexing with Ti4+ during the sol-gel process and preventing the phase segregation of TiO2 was studied systematically. The textural parameters, structural order, morphology, nature and co-ordination of Ti species were analyzed using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), UV resonance Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transformed Infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, the catalysts were tested for catalytic activity in the oxidation of cyclohexene using various oxidants. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015.