Abstract
The polynuclear manganese(III) Schiff base complexes 1– 7 containing μ-alkoxo and μ-acetato bridging and a variety of structural features were employed as catalysts for oxidation of cyclohexane by tert-butyl hydroperoxide in acetonitrile solution at room temperature. Oxidation of cyclohexane using complexes 1 to 5 gave cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone in moderate to high yields. However, the complexes 6 and 7 possessing chloride ligands, were inactive as catalysts. The complexes 1 and 2 were further employed as catalysts for oxidation of other substrates viz. adamantane, toluene, ethylbenzene, cumene, cis-cyclooctene, trans-stilbene and cyclohexanol. Dual mechanistic pathways involving predominantly a metal based oxidant proceeding in a heterolytic manner and a simultaneous free radical autoxidation are proposed for the oxyfunctionalization of alkanes.
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