Chiral dirhodium carboxamide catalysts were immobilised inside the pores of MCM-41 and on a low-surface-area silica (Aerosil 200). The catalysts were immobilised via ligand exchange of one chiral ligand with a carboxylate tether group. In part 2 the catalytic activity of these catalysts is reported. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.