Reactions of Alkylarenes, Benzyl Alcohols, Sulfides, and Phosphine with Manganese(III) Acetate–Chloride Ions

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The reactions of methoxytoluenes and methylnaphthalenes with a manganese(III) acetate–Cl− complex gave the corresponding aldehydes in 8 to 54% yields. In a similar reaction aromatic compounds having a methylene group were oxidized to the corresponding acetates and ketones. The primary and secondary benzyl alcohols gave aldehydes and ketones, respectively, in good yields. Sulfides and phosphine were oxidized to give oxides by the complex. The reaction of alkylarenes with lower ionization potentials can be explained in terms of an electron-transfer mechanism involving the manganese(III) acetate–Cl− complex.