A method for obtaining metal oxides supported on mesoporous silica particles includes a) providing a solution of at least one metal salt, b) providing a solution of at least one template forming agent of the general formula (I) Y.sub.3Si(CH.sub.2).sub.nX (I), wherein X is a complexing functional group; Y is OH or a hydrolysable moiety selected from the group containing halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, c) mixing the metal salt solution and the complex forming agent solution to obtain a metal precursor; d) adding at least one solution containing at least one pore structure directing agent to the metal precursor to obtain a metal precursor template mixture; e) adding at least one alkali silicate solution to the metal precursor template mixture at room temperature to obtain a silica-supported metal complex; and f) calcination of the silica-supported metal complex under air to obtain the supported metal oxide mesoporous silica particles.