Novel laccase redox mediators: spectral, electrochemical, and kinetic properties

The screening of potential redox mediators for laccase was performed using homogeneous enzyme preparations from Coriolus hirsutus and Coriolus zonatus. It was discovered that derivatives of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-pyrazolones were efficient substrates for the laccases. The characterization of two representatives of the 1-phenyl-pyrazolone class, sodium 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4- methylamino-pyrazolone-5-N(4)-methanesulfonate and 1-(3'-sulfophenyl)-3- methylpyrazolone-5, in the reaction catalyzed by laccase was carried out using spectral, electrochemical, and enzyme kinetics methods. The kinetic parameters for the oxidation of the newly discovered substrates were comparable with those for 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) oxidation by laccase. Electrochemical experiments demonstrated that oxidation of these compounds yielded two high-potential intermediates capable of oxidizing veratryl alcohol, which was used as a lignin model substrate, to the corresponding aldehyde and acid. 1-(3'-Sulfophenyl)-3- methylpyrazolone-5 was about 30-40% as effective in degrading veratryl alcohol compared to ABTS as judged from high-performance liquid chromatography kinetic studies. 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-pyrazolones may be of commercial interest for oxidoreductase-catalyzed biodegradation of organic compounds.     

Electrochemistry and kinetics of fungal laccase mediators

The screening of potential redox mediators for laccase was performed using homogeneous Trametes hirsuta laccase. Heterogeneous (electrochemical) and homogeneous (oxidation by laccase) reactions of the different types of the enhancers (mediators) of the enzyme were investigated. It was discovered that derivatives of phenyl-methyl-pyrazolones and benzoic acid, as well as N-hydroxynaphthalimide were efficient substrates for the laccase. The characterization of several representatives from each class was carried out using electrochemical and enzyme kinetics methods. The kinetic parameters for the oxidation of phenyl-methyl-pyrazolones and 3-(6-hylroxy)-aminobenzoic acid were comparable to those for 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) oxidation by the laccase, whereas the rate of enzymatic oxidation of N-hydroxynaphthalimide was sufficiently lower. Electrochemical experiments demonstrated that only oxidation of phenyl-methyl-pyrazolones and N-hydroxynaphthalimide yielded several high-potential intermediates capable of oxidizing veratryl alcohol, which was used as a lignin model substrate, whereas derivatives of benzoic acid showed low-potential intermediate, which was not able to oxidized lignin model compound. Phenyl-methyl-pyrazolones was about 50% as effective in degrading veratryl alcohol compared to ABTS as judged from HPLC kinetic studies, whereas N-hydroxynaphthalimide showed the same efficiency as ABTS. Phenyl-methyl-pyrazolones and hydroxynaphthalimides may be of commercial interest for oxidoreductase-catalyzed biodegradation of different xenobiotics.     

Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rigidoporus lignosus</Emphasis> and its Laccase in the Presence of Redox Mediators

The metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was studied in vivo and in vitro in systems consisting of Rigidoporus lignosus and its laccase, in the presence of so-called “mediator” compounds. The static culture of the native fungal strain was able to metabolize anthracene and 2-methylanthracene, but not 9-nitroanthracene. The addition of redox mediators 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) or violuric acid (VA) led to a significant increase in the degradation of substrates. The oxidation of PAHs was not significant when purified laccase was used without the addition of mediators. The addition of these compounds increased the oxidation of all substrates by approximately 70–80% after 72 h of incubation. The degradation rate was highest for 2-methylanthracene in the presence of VA.     

Oxidation capacity of laccases and peroxidases as reflected in experiments with methoxy-substituted benzyl alcohols

A set of methoxy-substituted benzyl alcohol (MBA) congeners were examined regarding susceptibility to oxidation by Trametes versicolor laccase, T. versicolor lignin peroxidase and horseradish peroxidase: 2,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl alcohol (DMBA), 3,4,5-TMBA, 2,3,4-TMBA, 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol (DMBA), 3,4-DMBA, and 2,3-DMBA. The corresponding methoxysubstituted benzaldehydes were strongly predominant as products on enzymic oxidation. This together with different reaction rates and redox potentials makes the MBAs suitable as substrates in the characterization of ligninolytic enzymes. For fungal laccase, the reaction rate order was: 2,4,5-TMBA≫2,5-DMBA>3,4-DMBA>3,4,5-TMBA∼2,3,4-TMBA∼2,3-DMBA. Horseradish peroxidase displayed a similar reactivity order. Oxidation of some of the MBAs with laccase and horseradish peroxidase was only observed when the reactions were carried out at low pH and with relatively high-substrate concentration. 3,4-DMBA (veratryl alcohol) was the best substrate for lignin peroxidase and the reaction rate order was: 3,4-DMBA>2,4,5-TMBA∼3,4,5-TMBA>2,5-DMBA>2,3,4-TMBA∼2,3-DMBA. The oxidation experiments with different MBAs elucidate the potential of the enzymes as oxidants in various applications.     

Five-membered 2,3-dioxoheterocycles: LXXIX. Three-component condensation of 1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrrol-2,3-diones with acetonitriles and dimedone. Crystal and molecular structure of substituted spiro[chromene-4,3′-pyrrole]

5-Phenyl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-1H-pyrrole-2,3-diones react with acetonitriles and dimedone to form ethyl 2-amino-7,7-dimethyl-2′,5-dioxo-5′-phenyl-1′,2′,5,6,7,8-hexahydrospiro[chromene-4,3′-pyrrole]-4′-carboxylates. The crystal and molecular structure of ethyl 2-amino-1′-benzyl-7,7-dimethyl-2′,5-dioxo-5′-phenyl-3-cyano-1′,2′,5,6,7,8-hexahydrospiro[chromene-4,3′-pyrrole]-4′-carboxylate was proved by XRD analysis.     

Reactions of 5-oxo-1-phenylpyrrolidine-3-carbohydrazides with 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives and the properties of the obtained products

N′-(4-Oxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-1-ylidene)-1-phenyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carbohydrazides and N′-(3-methyl-4-oxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-1-ylidene)-1-phenyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carbohydrazides were synthesized by reactions of 5-oxo-1-phenylpyrrolidine-3-carbohydrazides with 1,4-naphthoquinone or 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. The alkylated analogues of the above products were obtained using ethyl iodide. The interaction of 5-oxo-1-phenylpyrrolidine-3-carbohydrazides with 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone was followed by formation of N′-(3-chloro-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-1-phenyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carbohydrazides. All these compounds were characterized using ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR and mass spectra. Some of the new compounds were tested for the antimicrobial and antifungal activity.     

Five-membered 2,3-dioxo heterocycles: LXX. Spiro heterocyclization of 1H-pyrrole-2,3-diones by the action of 1,5-binucleophiles. Crystalline and molecular structure of ethyl 1′-benzyl-7-methoxy-3,3-dimethyl-1,2′-dioxo-5′-phenyl-1′,2,2′,3,4,10-hexahydro-1H-spiro[acridine-9,3′-pyrrole]-4′-carboxylate

Ethyl 1-alkyl-4,5-dioxo-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylates reacted with 3-arylamino-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-ones as carbon-centered 1,5-binucleophiles to give the corresponding substituted ethyl 1′-alkyl-3,3-dimethyl-1,2′-dioxo-5′-phenyl-1′,2,2′,3,4,10-hexahydro-1H-spiro[acridine-9,3′-pyrrole]-4′-carboxylates whose structure was proved by X-ray analysis.     

Antioxidants determination with laccase

The spectrophotometric method of antioxidants determination using recombinant laccase Polyporus pinsitus (rPpL) and Myceliophthora thermophila (rMtL) was developed. The method includes simultaneous oxidation of the antioxidant and high reactive laccase substrate producing chromophoric radical cation. As laccase substrates ABTS and other high reactive phenoxazine derivatives: 2-phenoxazin-10-yl-ethanol (PET), 3-phenoxazin-10-yl-propane-1-sulfonic acid (PPSA) and 3-phenoxazin-10-yl-propionic acid (PPA) were used. The kinetic data were analysed using a scheme of simultaneous oxidation of the antioxidant and the substrate.In a range of (0.9-7.3) × 10⁻⁶ M of Trolox the measurings recovered 91 and 99% of the antioxidant if ABTS and both laccases were used. The recovery varied between 82 and 124% if phenoxazine derivatives were used. The antioxidant activity determined in rich with antioxidants food samples, i.e. date-palm, black raisin, golden raisin, skin of red grape, dice of red grape, fitted the literature data.     

Peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization and depolymerization of coal in organic solvents

Peroxidases from horseradish roots (HRP) and soybean hulls (SBP) catalyze the efficient polymerization of a 4-kDa dimethylformamide (DMF)-soluble fraction of Mequininza (Spanish) lignite in 50% (v/v) DMF with an aqueous component consisting of acetate buffer, pH 5.0. Under these conditions, HRP and SBP catalyze the oxidation of free phenolic moieties in the coal matrix, thereby leading to oxidative polymerization of the low-molecular-weight coal polymers. The high fraction of nonphenolic aromatic moieties in coal inspired us to examine conditions whereby such coal components could also become oxidized. Oxidation of nonphenolic aromatic compounds was attempted using veratryl alcohol as a model substrate. SBP catalyzed the facile oxidation of veratryl alcohol at pH <3.HRP, however, was unable to elicit veratryl alcohol oxidation. The potential for SBP to catalyze interunit bond cleavage on complex polymeric substrates was examined using l-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(phenoxy)propan-1,3-diol (1) as a substrate. SBP catalyzed the Cα-Cβ and β-ether bond cleavage of this compound, suggesting that similar reactions on coal, itself, could lead to depolymerization. Depolymerization of a >50 Da coal fraction was achieved using SBP in 50% (v/v) DMF with an aqueous component adjusted to pH 2.2. Approximately 15% of the initial high-molecular-weight lignite fraction was depolymerized to polymers 4 Da in size. Hence, SBP is capable of catalyzing the depolymerization of coal in organic solvents, and this may have important ramifications in the generation of liquid fuels from coals.     

Laccase production and enzymatic modification of lignin by a novel Peniophora sp

A novel laccase producing Basidiomycete Peniophora sp. (NFCCI-2131) was isolated from pulp and paper mill effluent. The optimal temperature and initial pH for laccase production by the isolate in submerged culture were found to be 30 and 4.6° C, respectively. Maltose (20 g l⁻¹) and tryptone (1.0 g l⁻¹) were the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources for laccase production. Cu²⁺ (1.0 mM) and veratryl alcohol induced maximum laccase production giving 6.6 and 6.07 U/ml laccase activity, respectively. Under optimised culture conditions, 7.6 U/ml activity was obtained, which was 2.4 times higher than that was achieved in basal medium. An evaluation of the delignification efficiency of the crude enzyme in the presence of redox mediators [2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and (1-hydroxybenzotriazole)] revealed structural changes in lignin and existence of many active centres for both chemical and biological degradation of lignin following enzymatic treatment.     

Enzymatic catalysis of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol by laccases and products characterization in organic solutions

2,6-Dimethoxyphenol (DMP) as a substrate was widely used in determination of laccase activity. It is surprising, however, that its catalyzed oxidation products have not been completely determined until now. Studies were thus conducted on Rhus laccase (RL) and immobilized Rhus laccase (IRL)-catalyzed oxidation reactions of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol in water-organic solvent systems. These reactions pro- ceeded well in water-(im)miscible organic solvent systems pre-saturated with water. Only one product, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethoxy-1,1′biphenyl-4,4′-diol (TMBP), was produced by RL catalysis, and it was thor- oughly characterized by FT-IR, NMR, GC-MS, etc. A simple enzymatic mechanism of this reaction is proposed.     

Spirocyclohexadienones: XII. Dienone-phenol rearrangement of 1-substituted 2-azaspiro[4.5]undeca-1,6,9-trienes and their analogs

Hydrolytic cleavage of 1-substituted 2-azaspiro[4.5]undeca-1,6,9-trienes in acid medium is accompanied by dienone-phenole rearrangement with formation of substituted N-[2-(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl] carboxylic acid amides. 1,2-Dimethoxy-3-oxo-15-phenyl-14-azadispiro[5.1.5.2]pentadeca-1,4,14-triene and 2′-R-7a′-methyl-3a′,4′,5′,6′,7′,7a′-hexahydrospiro[cyclohexa[2,5]diene-1,3′-indol]-4-ones undergo analogous cleavage.     

Reactions of N , N -Disubstituted 5-Arylmethylidene-2-amino-thiazol-4(5 H )-ones with CH Acids

 N,N-Disubstituted 5-arylmethylidene-2-aminothiazol-4(5H)-ones reacted with diethyl malonate, ethyl benzoylacetate, acetylacetone, or cyclopentadiene in refluxing toluene and in presence of powdered sodium to give the respective 5-arylmethylidene-2′-amino-2,5′-bithiazolylidene-4,4′-dione derivatives in moderate yields. 5-Benzylidene-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-one reacted with malononitrile in toluene and in presence of powdered sodium under mild conditions to afford the 1:1 adduct, benzylmalononitrile, and 2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-one. However, similar treatment of 5-(4-methoxyphenylmethylidene)-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-one with malononitrile yielded the 2,5′-bithiazolylidene-4,4′-dione derivative together with 4-methoxyphenylmethylidene malononitrile. Treatment of 5-benzylidene- and 5-(4-methoxyphenylmethylidene)-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-ones with 3-phenyl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidine in refluxing toluene and in presence of powdered sodium produced 5-arylmethylidene-3-phenyl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidines in good yields. The structures of all products were deduced from microanalytical and spectroscopic data, mechanistic details are discussed.     

Reactions of 2-phenyl-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphepin-5-one with phenanthrenequinone and dibenzoyl

Reactions of 2-phenyl-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,3,2-benzodioxaphosphepin-5-one with 9,10-phenanthrenequinone and dibenzoyl gave hydrolytically unstable spirophosphoranes with five- and seven-membered rings, 2-phenyl-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydrospiro[[1,3,2]benzodioxaphosphepine-2,2′-phenanthro[9,10-d][1,3,2]dioxaphosphol]-5-one and 2,4′,5′-triphenyl-4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydrospiro[[1,3,2]benzodioxaphosphepine-2,2′-[1,3,2]dioxaphosphol]-5-one. The structure of the first of these was proved by X-ray analysis.     

Pyrimidines. 71. Rearrangements of 2,2′,4-trimethoxy-6′-phenyl-4′,5-dipyrimidinyl to n-methyl oxo derivatives

A trimethoxy derivative with three nonequivalent methoxy groups was obtained from 2,2′, 4-trichloro-6′-phenyl-4′ 5-dipyrimidinyl. Rearrangement of 2,2′, 4-trimethoxy-6′-phenyl-4′, 5-dipyrimidinyl under Hubert-Johnson conditions and thermal rearrangement with and without a catalyst make it possible to obtain 2′,4-dimethoxy-1-methyl-2-oxo-and 2′-methoxy-1,3-dimethy1-2,4-dioxodipyrimidinyls and both tri-N-methyl isomers, viz., the 1,1′, 3-and 1,3,3′-trimethyl derivatives. The possibility of obtaining N-methyl derivatives of trioxodipyrimidinyl by methylation under various conditions was also examined. See [1] for communication 70. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 398–403, March, 1980.     

Reactions of N,N-Disubstituted 5-Arylmethylidene-2-amino-thiazol-4(5H)-ones with CH Acids

Summary.  N,N-Disubstituted 5-arylmethylidene-2-aminothiazol-4(5H)-ones reacted with diethyl malonate, ethyl benzoylacetate, acetylacetone, or cyclopentadiene in refluxing toluene and in presence of powdered sodium to give the respective 5-arylmethylidene-2′-amino-2,5′-bithiazolylidene-4,4′-dione derivatives in moderate yields. 5-Benzylidene-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-one reacted with malononitrile in toluene and in presence of powdered sodium under mild conditions to afford the 1:1 adduct, benzylmalononitrile, and 2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-one. However, similar treatment of 5-(4-methoxyphenylmethylidene)-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-one with malononitrile yielded the 2,5′-bithiazolylidene-4,4′-dione derivative together with 4-methoxyphenylmethylidene malononitrile. Treatment of 5-benzylidene- and 5-(4-methoxyphenylmethylidene)-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-thiazol-4(5H)-ones with 3-phenyl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidine in refluxing toluene and in presence of powdered sodium produced 5-arylmethylidene-3-phenyl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidines in good yields. The structures of all products were deduced from microanalytical and spectroscopic data, mechanistic details are discussed. Corresponding author. E-mail: kamalkandeel@hotmail.com Received November 5, 2001. Accepted (revised) December 17, 2001     

Synthesis of azoles from 3,3′-[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]bis(propanoic acid hydrazides)

Abstract  

Reaction of 3,3′-[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]bis(propanoic acid hydrazides) with CS₂ in alkaline solution and subsequent acidification gave 5,5′-[[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]diethane-2,1-diyl]bis(1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thiones). The same dihydrazides on reaction with phenyl isocyanates or phenyl isothiocyanates were converted to bis[N′-(phenylaminocarbonyl)propanoic acid hydrazides] and bis[N′-(phenylaminocarbonothioyl)propanoic acid hydrazides], which underwent cyclization in alkaline medium to produce 5,5′-[[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]diethane-2,1-diyl]bis(4-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ones) and their 3-thio analogues, whereas in sulfuric acid or POCl₃ 5,5′-[[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]diethane-2,1-diyl]bis(N-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-amines) and 5,5′-[[(4-alkoxyphenyl)imino]diethane-2,1-diyl]bis(N-phenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amines) were obtained.     

Enzymatic electrodes nanostructured with functionalized carbon nanotubes for biofuel cell applications

Nanostructured bioelectrodes were designed and assembled into a biofuel cell with no separating membrane. The glassy carbon electrodes were modified with mediator-functionalized carbon nanotubes. Ferrocene (Fc) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) diammonium salt (ABTS) bound chemically to the carbon nanotubes were found useful as mediators of the enzyme catalyzed electrode processes. Glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger AM-11 and laccase from Cerrena unicolor C-139 were incorporated in a liquid-crystalline matrix-monoolein cubic phase. The carbon nanotubes–nanostructured electrode surface was covered with the cubic phase film containing the enzyme and acted as the catalytic surface for the oxidation of glucose and reduction of oxygen. Thanks to the mediating role of derivatized nanotubes the catalysis was almost ten times more efficient than on the GCE electrodes: catalytic current of glucose oxidation was 1 mA cm⁻² and oxygen reduction current exceeded 0.6 mA cm⁻². The open circuit voltage of the biofuel cell was 0.43 V. Application of carbon nanotubes increased the maximum power output of the constructed biofuel cell to 100 μW cm⁻² without stirring of the solution which was ca. 100 times more efficient than using the same bioelectrodes without nanotubes on the electrode surface.     

Study of the substrate specificities of the extracellular lignin peroxidases of the wood-destroying fungusPleurotus ostreatus

The substrate specificities of two forms of purified extracellular lignin peroxidase isolated from a total enzyme preparation of the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus — LGP-1 and LGP-II — have been determined. The substrate specificities of the isoenzymes differ considerably: LGP-I preferentially destroys model compounds of lignin — the -guaiacyl ether of I-veratrylpropanol, coniferyl alcohol, and pyrocatechol, while LGP-II is most specific in relation to veratryl alcohol, veratrylpropane-1,3-diol, and vanillyl alcohol. Both forms partially oxidize syringaldazine and ABTS. The isoenzymes possess peroxidase and oxidase properties simultaneously, since veratryl, vanillyl, and coniferyl alcohols were oxidized by both forms of the enzyme only in the presence of H₂O₂, which confirms their peroxidase natures. At the same time, ABTS, syringaldazine, pyrocatechol, and o -phenylenediamine were also oxidized by the lignin peroxidase in the absence of H₂O₂, which confirms their oxidase function. The isoenzymes also possess Mn-peroxidase activity in relation to NADH. Since almost all substrates were oxidized by the enzymes only in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, they cannot be assigned to the class of oxidases. On the other hand, the LGP ofP. ostreatus is not Mn-dependent, since the presence of manganese ions had no effect whatever on the oxidation of aromatic substrates by the enzyme. Moreover, both forms of the enzyme oxidized veratryl alcohol — a specific substrate for ligninases, which permits the extracellular isoenzymes of P. ostreatus, LGP-I and LGP-II, to be assigned to the class of ligninases.Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, fax (3712) 41 71 29. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 596–601, July–August, 1996. Original article submitted November 11, 1994.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic oxidation of tetrahydrofuran with 16-membered pentaazabis(macrocyclic) copper(II) complexes; {[Cu([16]aneN5)]2R}4+ (R = aromatic nitrogen–nitrogen linkers)

New square-planar bis(macrocyclic)dicopper(II) complexes containing phenylene bridges between 16-membered pentaaza macrocyclic subunits have been synthesized via in-situ one pot template condensation reaction (IOPTCR) of aromatic nitrogen-nitrogen linker (R = 1,4-phenylenediamine; benzidine; 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane; 4,4′-diaminodiphenylether; 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone), formaldehyde, bis(1,3-diaminopropane)copper(II) perchlorate and 1,3-dibromopropane in a 1:4:2:2 molar ratio results in the formation of new series of binuclear copper(II) complexes; 1-phenyl- (1); 1,1′-phenyl- (2); 1,1′-diphenylmethan- (3); 1,1′-diphenylether- (4); 1,1′-diphenylsulfone- (5) bis(1,3,7,11,15-pentaazacyclohexadecane)copper(II)), {[Cu([16]aneN₅)]₂R}(ClO₄)₄″. The formation of the macrocyclic framework and the mode of bonding of the complexes have been confirmed by data obtained from elemental analyses, UV-visible, FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, electronic spectral studies, conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. These bis(macrocyclic) complexes catalyzed efficiently the selective oxidation of tetrahydrofuran into tetrahydrofuran-2-one and a small amount of tetrahydrofuran-2-ol and 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde using dil. H₂O₂ as the oxidant.