Manganese(II), cobalts(II) and nickel(II) complexes of tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine and their catalytic activity toward oxidation of tetralin

Abstract  

Monomeric Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ complexes of tris(2-pyridyl)phosphine (P(2-py)₃ were synthesized through the reaction of the hydrated metal(II) chlorides with P(2-py)₃ in near-quantitative yields. The solid-state structure of the Mn complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All three complexes were tested as homogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of tetralin to α-tetralone with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. The influences of temperature, solvent, catalyst molar ratio and time of the reaction on the catalyzed reactions were investigated.