Base metal Schiff base complexes applied as catalysts for the oxidation of n-octane

Abstract

The catalytic oxidation of n-octane to value-added oxygenates has been studied with a series of salen-type complexes of iron. The four iron Schiff base complexes N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-L-iron(III) chloride [L=1,2-phenylenediamine (5); ethylenediamine (6); propylenediamine (7) and butylenediamine (8)] were synthesised by variation of the bridging diamine backbone. All the complexes are fully characterised and the crystal structure of 7 is for the first time reported as a centrosymmetric dimer observed to crystallise in the triclinic P1‾ system. The application of 5–8 in this oxidation reaction represents a rare example of the systematic use of iron-salen complexes for the liquid-phase functionalisation of Csp3–H bonds of straight chain alkanes. All catalysts displayed activity with H2O2 and TBHP as oxidants that resulted in a mixture of oxygenated products dominated by the ketones (2-, 3- and 4-octanones). Observed trends and variations in catalytic activities of the complexes is related to differences in chemical/structural features and changes in reaction conditions. A detailed analysis of selectivity parameters of the complexes to the variety of oxygenates is also presented and rationalised.