H2O2-oxidation of α-aminoisobutyric and cyclic amino acids catalyzed by iron(III) isoindoline complexes

Abstract

Series of dichloroiron(III) complexes of 1,3-bis(2′-arylimino)isoindoline have been used as catalysts for the oxidative decarboxylation and deamination reaction of acyclic [α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIBH)] and cyclic amino acids [1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (ACHH), 1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid (ACPH), 1-aminocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (ACBH), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACCH)] to ethylene or the corresponding carbonyl compounds. We have found that the title complexes are very efficient and selective as catalysts, and linear correlations were observed between the reaction rate and the oxidation potential, E°′pa of the iron complexes, and the endocyclic bond angle of the substrates used.