Activation of cyclohexylhydroperoxide by diiron complexes: a new route for selective peroxide decomposition

The catalytic and selective decomposition of cyclohexylhydroperoxide has been demonstrated using dinuclear iron catalysts in acetonitrile. The complex, Fe₂OL₂(ClO₄)₄, [L=N,N′-dimethyl-2,11-diaza[3,3](2,6)pyridinophane] was found to be the most stable (up to 9 000 T.N.) and selective catalyst. Furthermore, cyclohexylhydroperoxide was found efficient as an oxidant during alkane oxidation. A free radical mechanism has been proposed for both peroxide decomposition and alkane oxidation, implicating the formation of iron–alkylhydroperoxo species.     

Synthesis and redox properties of novel ferrocenes with redox active 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol fragments: The first example of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxyl radicals in ferrocene system

Novel Schiff bases of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde bearing 2,6-di-tert-butyphenol fragments N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)iminomethylferrocene (1) and N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)iminomethylferrocene (2) have been synthesized and characterized. The oxidation of the compounds 1 and 2 by PbO₂ in solution leads to the formation of stable phenoxyl radicals 1′ and 2′ studied by EPR spectroscopy. The redox properties of ferrocenes 1 and 2 were studied using cyclic voltammetry.     

Catalytic Activity of Polymer Anchored Cu-tren Complex in the Oxidation of 2,6-Di-t-butyl Phenol

Poly(styrene-co-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co- dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) were prepared by solution polymerization. These polymers were quaternized by methyl iodide and n-hexyl bromide. The produced polymers were used as support in the aqueous oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (DBP) using hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by tris(2-aminoethyl)amine copper(II) complex “Cu(II)-tren complex” anchored on the prepared polymers. The products obtained from the reactions were 3,3′-5,5′-tetra-tert-butyldiphenoquinine (DPQ) and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone (BQ). No reaction products were obtained when the reaction was carried out in the absence of polymeric catalyst. The polymer composition and reaction medium greatly affect product distribution of the reaction. Polar organic solvent like DMF and methanol favor the formation of DPQ, while nonploar organic solvent like benzene and methylene chloride favor the formation of BQ. Hydrophobic branches of polymers 6 (PS-HexBr-Cu-TREN) and 8 (PMMA-HexBr-Cu-TREN) favor BQ formation as the weight of support increased. On the other hand, DPQ is favored in the presence of hydrophilic branches as observed for both polymeric catalysts 5 (PS-MeI-Cu-TREN) and 7 (PMMA-MeI-Cu-TREN).     

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of hydrazone phenolate ligands - syntheses and activities in catalytic oxidation reactions

The new cis-dioxomolybdenum (VI) complexes [MoO₂(L²)(H₂O)] (2) and [MoO₂(L³)(H₂O)] (3) containing the tridentate hydrazone-based ligands (H₂L² = N'-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-methylbenzohydrazide and H₂L³ = N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-(hydroxyimino)propanehydrazide) have been synthesized and characterized via IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic activities of complexes 2 and 3, and the analogous known complex [MoO₂(L¹)(H₂O)] (1) (H₂L¹ = N'-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-methylbenzohydrazide) have been evaluated for various oxidation reactions, viz. oxygen atom transfer from dimethyl sulfoxide to triphenylphosphine, sulfoxidation of methyl-p-tolylsulfide or epoxidation of different alkenes using tert-butyl hydroperoxide as terminal oxidant. The catalytic activities were found to be comparable for all three complexes, but complexes 1 and 3 showed better catalytic performances than complex 2, which contains a more sterically demanding ligand than the other two complexes.     

Catalyzed oxidation of 2,6-dimethylphenol in Triton X- 100 micellar solution

The oxidative coupling reaction of 2,6-dimethylphenol with H2O2 catalyzed by a copper(Ⅱ) Schiff complex in aqueous and Triton X-100 micellar solution under mild conditions was investigated. The kinetics of formation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-diphenoquinone (DPQ) was studied. Rate constant k2 were obtained. The optimum pH for DPQ generation reaction is 7.25. The main product was DPQ in aqueous buffer solution, but PPE and the oxidized products of PPE remained in Triton X-100 micellar solution.     

Efficient and selective oxidation of alcohols with <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-BuOOH catalyzed by a dioxomolybdenum(VI) Schiff base complex under organic solvent-free conditions

The catalytic activity of dioxidobis{2-[(E)-p-tolyliminomethyl]phenolato}molybdenum(VI) complex was studied, for the first time, in the selective oxidation of various primary and secondary alcohols using tert-BuOOH as oxidant under organic solvent-free conditions at room temperature. The effect of different solvents was studied in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol in this catalytic system. It was found that, under organic solvent-free conditions, the catalyst oxidized various primary and secondary alcohols to their corresponding aldehyde or ketone derivatives with high yield. The effects of other parameters such as oxidant and amount of catalyst were also investigated. Among different oxidants such as H₂O₂, NaIO₄, tert-BuOOH, and H₂O₂/urea, tert-BuOOH was selected as oxygen donor in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Also, it was found that oxidation of benzyl alcohol required 0.02 mmol catalyst for completion. Dioxomolybdenum(VI) Schiff base complex exhibited good catalytic activity in the oxidation of alcohols with tert-BuOOH under mild conditions. In this catalytic system, different primary alcohols gave the corresponding aldehydes in good yields without further oxidation to carboxylic acids.     

Scale-up synthesis of a deuterium-labeled cis-cyclobutane-1,3-Dicarboxylic acid derivative using continuous photo flow chemistry

Continuous photo flow synthesis of tert-butyl 3-oxo-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.0]hex-5-ene-6-carboxylate (2b) from tert-butyl 2-oxo-2H-pyran-5-carboxylate (1b) has been investigated for scale-up synthesis of cis-3-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2,3,4-d₃-cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (3c) as a useful building block for preparation of various biologically active compounds and those of material sciences containing cyclobutane ring system(s) labeled with deuterium atoms. Optimization of reaction conditions and modification of the photo flow reaction system have brought about the production of cis-3-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2,3,4-d₃-cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (3c) with excellent deuterium content in 3.6?g through the continuous photo flow synthesis for 22?h followed by hydrogenation with deuterium gas. Also, application of the product to synthesis of cis-3-((benzyloxycarbonyl)methyl-d₂)cyclobutane-1,2,4-d₃-carboxylic acid (11) is described for preparation of internal standards of drug candidate compounds in quantitative mass spectrometry analyses in nonclinical and clinical pharmacokinetic studies.     

A new dirhodium tetraacetate carbenoid: Synthesis, crystal structure and catalytic application

A new dirhodium tetraacetate II involving 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene I was synthesized and characterized by general spectroscopic tools in the solution state as well as single X-ray crystallographic analysis in the solid state. The catalytic activity of dirhodium tetraacetate carbenoid II was tested for the allylic oxidation, and the improved reactivity to the allylic oxidation was observed compared to that of Rh₂(OAc)₄. The different electrochemical properties of dirhodium tetraacetate carbenoid II and Rh₂(OAc)₄ were compared via cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis, structure and property of one porous Zn(salen)-based metal-metallosalen framework

Chiral Schiff-base ligand L was synthesized through six steps in good overall yield from readily available 2-tert-butylphenol and was used to construct one chiral porous metal-metallosalen framework,[Zn5(μ3-OH)2(ZnL)4(H2O)2]·18H2O(1,L=5′,5″-(1E,1′E)-(1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diylbis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis(3′-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxybiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid),under mild reaction conditions.1 was characterized by IR,TGA,CD,UV,PL,single-crystal and powder X-ray crystallography.The structure of 1 displays a 3-fold interpenetrating 3D framework with 1D channel of 1.14 nm×0.58nm and imparts unique Zn(salen)units on the surface of the pore,in which(ZnL)2dimer acts as multi-functionlized metalloligand.1 is thermally robust with network decomposition temperature of 400oC and it also exhibits strong photoluminescence in the visible region.     

Synthesis of biomimetic heme precursors

Three kinds of biomimetic heme precursors have been prepared. The first type is based on tetra-aminoporphyrins: either 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (o-aminophenyl)porphyrin (various atropoisomers), or 5,15-bis(2′,6′-diaminophenyl)porphyrin. The second type is based on octa-aminoporphyrins: 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (2′,6′-diamino-4′-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrin. One example of “basket handle” porphyrin demonstrates selective discrimination between O₂ and CO with an M value [M=p_1/2(O₂)/p_1/2(CO)] of 105. This is similar to values reported for various natural hemoproteins. The third type is based on aminoporphyrin templates [5, 5,10- or 5,15- and 5,10,15-(2′,6′-dinitro,4′-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrins] which have been tested in asymmetric epoxidation.     

Axially dissymmetric binaphthyldiimine chiral salen-type ligands for copper-catalyzed asymmetric aziridination

Axially dissymmetric chiral salen-type ligands 1–4 and 7 were prepared from the reaction of (R)-(+)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine with 2,6-dichlorobenzaldehyde, 2,3-dichlorobenzaldehyde, 3,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde or salicylaldehyde in high yields, respectively. The catalytic asymmetric aziridination of alkenes has been examined using these novel chiral ligands. Excellent enantioselectivity in the aziridination of cinnamates has been achieved using the C₂-symmetric chiral ligand 1.     

Heterogenization of a molybdenum Schiff base complex as a magnetic nanocatalyst: An eco-friendly,efficient, selective and recyclable nanocatalyst for the oxidation of alkenes

A Schiff base ligand derived from 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 2,2′-dimethylpropylenediamine (H₂L) and its corresponding dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex (Mo(O)₂L) has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The adsorption of Mo(O)₂L on the surface of silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles via hydrogen bonding led to the formation of (α-Fe₂O₃)–MCM-41–Mo(O)₂L as a heterogeneous catalyst. FT-IR and atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize and investigate the new nanocatalyst. A practical catalytic method for the efficient and highly selective oxidation of a wide range of olefins with hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide in ethanol over the prepared molybdenum nanocatalyst was investigated. Under reflux conditions, the oxidation of cyclooctene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide led to the formation of epoxide as the sole product. The catalyst was reused at least six times without a significant decrease in catalytic activity or selectivity, and without detectable leaching of the catalyst.     

Inhibitory effect of 2,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butylphenol groups in iron and manganese porphyrins on the catalytic activity in the oxidation of hydrocarbons by hydrogen peroxide

Iron and manganese porphyrins containing 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl groups (R₄PFeCl and R₄PMnCl) have been synthesized to be further immobilized on silica gels via various spacers. The activity of these porphyrins in the oxidation of alkanes and alkenes by hydrogen peroxide has been studied. 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol groups decrease the catalytic activity of porphyrins in oxidation processes.     

Dinuclear nickel(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands: syntheses, structures and bio-relevant catalytic activities

Three Ni(II) complexes of cresol-based Schiff-base ligands, namely [Ni₂(L¹)(NCS)₃(H₂O)₂], (1) [Ni₂(L²)(CH₃COO)(NCS)₂(H₂O)] (2) and [Ni₂(L³)(NCS)₃] (3), (where L¹ = 2,6-bis(N-ethylpyrrolidineiminomethyl)-4-methylphenolato, L² = 2,6-bis(N-ethylpiperidineiminomethyl)-4-methylphenolato and L³ = 2,6-bis{N-ethyl-N-(3-hydroxypropyl iminomethyl)}-4-methylphenolato), have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction in addition to routine physicochemical techniques. Density functional theory calculations have been performed to understand the nature of the electronic spectra of the complexes. Complexes 1?C3 when reacted with 4-nitrophenyl phosphate in 50:50 acetonitrile?Cwater medium promote the cleavage of the O?CP bond to form p-nitrophenol and smoothly convert 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) to 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone (3,5-DTBQ) either in MeOH or in MeCN medium. Phosphatase- and catecholase-like activities were monitored by UV?Cvis spectrophotometry and the Michaelis?CMenten equation was applied to rationalize all the kinetic parameters. Upon treatment with urea, complexes 1 and 2 give rise to [Ni₂(L¹)(NCS)₂(NCO)(H₂O)₂] (1??) and [Ni₂(L²)(CH₃COO)(NCO)(NCS)(H₂O)] (2??) derivatives, respectively, whereas 3 remains unaltered under same reaction conditions.     

Hexacoordinate triphenylantimony(V) complex with tridentate bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl)-amine ligand: Synthesis,NMR and X-ray study

The oxidative addition reaction of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone (IBQ) to triphenylantimony(III) proceeds with the migration of hydroxyl-proton to a nitrogen atom to form tridentate O,N,O′-coordinated bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl)-amine ligand. In accordance with ¹H, ¹³C, DEPT NMR data, the new hexacoordinate complex [bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl)-amine]triphenylantimony(V), [(AP-AP)H]SbPh₃ (1) in solution has a C_s symmetry plane leading to the equivalence of two O,N-chelate o-aminophenolato moieties. The molecular structure of 1 · acetone was studied by a single-crystal X-ray. Compound 1 was found to be air-stable both in solid and in solution. Its oxidation by PbO₂ leads to paramagnetic [4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenolate-2-yl)-o-iminobenzosemiquinolato]triphenylantimony(V), [(AP-ISQ)]SbPh₃ (2).     

Catalytic applications of Cu-containing MOFs based on N-heterocyclic ligand in the oxidative coupling of 2,6-dimethylphenol

Two Cu^II complexes bearing a N-heterocyclic ligand, namely [Cu(SO₄)(pbbm)]_n (1) and {[Cu(Ac)₂(pbbm)] · CH₃OH}_n (2) (pbbm = 1,1′-(1,5-pentanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole) have been synthesized with the aim of exploiting new and potent catalysts. Single crystal X-ray diffraction shows that new polymeric complex 1 features 1-D double-chain framework. The catalytic studies on 1 and 2 indicate that they are efficient homogeneous catalysts for the oxidative coupling of 2,6-dimethylphenol (DMP) to poly(1,4-phenylene ether) (PPE) and diphenoquinone (DPQ) with H₂O₂ as oxidant and NaOMe as co-catalyst at room temperature. Optimal reaction conditions are obtained by examining the effects of solvent, the reaction time, temperature as well as the amounts of co-catalyst, catalyst and oxidant. Under the optimal conditions, the selectivity to PPE is almost up to 90% for both complexes, and the conversion of DMP is 85% for 1 and 90% for 2, comparable to those observed for highly active catalyst systems in the literature. Further comparison of their catalytic performances with those of the corresponding copper salt together with organic ligand, copper salt alone and free ligand reveals that the coordination of ligand to Cu^II ion plays a key role in generating the superior reactivities of complexes.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and catalytic epoxidation properties of dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with hydrazone ligands

A series of dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with similar hydrazone ligands have been prepared, specifically [MoO₂L¹(MeOH)] (1), [MoO₂L²(MeOH)] (2) and [MoO₂L³(MeOH)] (3), where L¹, L² and L³ are the dianionic forms of 2-chloro-N′-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide, 2-chloro-N′-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzylidene)benzohydrazide and N′-(3-bromo-5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-chlorobenzohydrazide, respectively. The complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods and also by single-crystal X-ray determination. The hydrazone ligands coordinate to the Mo atoms through their phenolate O, imine N and enolic O atoms. The Mo atoms are six-coordinated in octahedral geometries. The complexes show high catalytic activities and selectivities in the epoxidation of cyclohexene with tert-butylhydroperoxide as primary oxidant.     

Aerobic oxidation of substituted phenols catalysed by metal acetylacetonates in the presence of 3-methylbutanal

The aerobic oxidation of substituted phenols with the catalytic system M(acac)_n/3-methylbutanal/O₂ has been investigated. Co(acac)₂ and Mn(acac)₃ promoted the transformation of 2,6-dimethylphenol and 2,6-di-t-butylphenol into their corresponding diphenoquinones and benzoquinones. In the oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol, the same catalysts yielded 32–34% of the relevant biphenol. Cu(acac)₂ converted 2-naphthol into 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol with 84% yield. Supported Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes have also been used as heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of 2,6-di-t-butylphenol and 2-naphthol, respectively.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and catalytic oxidation properties of oxidovanadium(V) complexes with Schiff base ligands

Two new Schiff base ligands 2-chloro-N′-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide (H₂L^a) and 4-fluoro-2-{[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethylimino]methyl}phenol (HL^b) were synthesized and characterized. Their respective oxidovanadium complexes, [VOL^a(OMe)(MeOH)]·MeOH (1) and [VO(μ-O)L^b]₂ (2), were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The coordination sphere of each V atom is octahedral. Both complexes showed selective heterogeneous catalytic properties with 74–98 % conversion, for the oxidation of cyclohexene, cyclopentene, and benzyl alcohol using H₂O₂ as primary oxidant.     

A new and highly efficient water-soluble copper complex for the oxidation of secondary 1-heteroaryl alcohols by tert-butyl hydroperoxide

The water-soluble copper complex generated in situ from CuCl₂ and 2,2′-biquinoline-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid dipotassium salt (BQC), has been revealed as a highly efficient and selective catalyst for the oxidation of secondary 1-heteroaryl alcohols to the corresponding heteroaromatic ketones with aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide, under mild conditions. The catalytic system is compatible with different heterocycles such as pyridines, pyrroles, indoles, thiophens, furans, thiazoles, and imidazoles.