Manganese(III)-based oxidation of 1,2-disubstituted pyrazolidine-3,5-diones in the presence of alkenes

The manganese(III)-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of 1,2-disubstituted pyrazolidine-3,5-diones 1 in the presence of alkenes 2 gave the corresponding pyrazolidinediones 3 which were doubly hydroperoxyalkylated at the 4-position in high yields. On the other hand, pyrazolidinediones 1 were oxidized with manganese(III) acetate in the presence of alkenes 2 at elevated temperature to produce the 4,4-bis(alkenyl)pyrazolidinediones 4 in good yields instead of the pyrazolidine-fused dihydrofuran analogue IV. A similar cerium(IV)-mediated oxidation of pyrazolidinedione 1a with an alkene 2a afforded the doubly 4-methoxyethylated derivative 5. The stability of the free hydroperoxyl group and the reaction pathway for the aerobic and the metal-mediated oxidation reactions were also discussed.     

A unique peroxide formation based on the Mn(III)-catalyzed aerobic oxidation

The autoxidation of a mixture of 1,1-diarylsubstituted alkenes 4 and 4-hydroxy-1H-quinolin-2-ones 5 in the presence of a catalytic amount of manganese(III) acetate dihydrate in air gave 3,3-bis(2-hydroperoxyethyl)-1H-quinoline-2,4-diones 6 in 31-91% yields together with [4.4.3]propellane-type cyclic peroxides 7 (10-34%). A similar aerobic oxidation of 3-substituted quinolinones 8 yielded cyclic peroxide derivatives 9 and/or 3-hydroperoxyethylated quinolinediones 10 depending on the substituent. The structures of the bis(hydroperoxide) 6 (R¹=Me, Ar=4-ClC₆H₄) and the [4.4.3]propellane 7 (R¹=Me, Ar=Ph) have been corroborated by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic activity of halo-methyl-bis(salicylaldehyde)ethylenediamine cobalt(II) complexes

The synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of a series of tetra-halo-dimethyl salen and di-halo-tetramethyl-salen ligands are reported in this paper: α,α′-dimethyl-Salen (dMeSalen) (L¹); 3,3′,5,5′-tetrachloro-α,α′-dimethyl-Salen, (tCldMeSalen) (L²); 3,3′-dibromo-5,5′-dichloro-α,α′-dimethyl-Salen, (dCldBrdMeSalen) (L³); 3,3′,5,5′-tetrabromo-α,α′-dimethyl-Salen, (tBrdMeSalen) (L⁴); 3,3′,5,5′-tetraiodo-α,α′-dimethyl-salen, (tIdMeSalen) (L⁵); 3,3′-dichloro-5,5′,α,α′-tetramethyl-Salen (dCltMeSalen) (L⁶); 3,3′-dibromo-5,5′,α,α′-tetramethyl-Salen (dBrtMeSalen) (L⁷); and 3,3′-diiodo-5,5′,α,α′-tetramethyl-Salen (dItMeSalen) (L⁸) (Salen = bis(salicylaldehyde)ethylenediamine). Upon reaction with Co(II) ions, these ligands form complexes with square planar geometry that have been characterized by elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry, UV–Vis, IR and EPR spectroscopies. In the presence of pyridine the obtained Co(II) complexes were found able to bind reversibly O₂, which was shown by EPR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. They were also found able to catalyze the oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (DtBuP) (9) with formation of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DtBuQ) (10) and 2,6,2′,6′-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1′-diphenobenzoquinone (TtBuDQ) (11). These properties are first influenced by the coordination of pyridine in axial position of the Co(II) ion that causes an increase of the electronic density on the cobalt ion and as a consequence a decrease in the E_1/2 value and an increase of the reducing power of the Co(II) complex. It is noteworthy that, under those conditions the complexes also show a remarkable quasi-reversible behaviour. Second, complex properties are also influenced by the substituents (methyl and halogen) grafted on the aromatic ring and on the azomethynic groups. The donating methyl substituent on the azomethynic groups causes a decrease in the E_1/2 value, whereas the halogen substituents on the aromatic rings have two effects: a mesomeric donating effect that tends to lower the redox potential of the complex, and a steric effect that tends to decrease the conjugation of the ligand and then to increase the redox potential of the Co(II) complex. In pyridine, the steric effect predominates, which causes both an increase of the redox potential and a decrease of the selectivity of the oxidation of phenol 9. As a result of all these effects, it then appears that the best catalysts to realize the selective oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-phenol (9) by O₂ are the Co complexes of ligands bearing CH₃ donating substituents, Co(dMeSalen) 1 (2CH₃ substituents), and Co-di-halo-tetra-methyl-salen complexes 6, 7 and 8 (4CH₃ substituents), in the presence of pyridine.     

Total synthesis of (−)-amathaspiramide F

The stereoselective total synthesis of the marine alkaloid, (−)-amathaspiramide F (1), was achieved from the α-hydroxy-α-ethynylsilane 2. The key steps involved in the synthesis were (1) the enolate Claisen rearrangement of the α-acyloxy-α-alkenylsilane for the stereoselective construction of the consecutive C5 and C9 chiral centers of 1 (erythro configuration), (2) the construction of aza-spirohemiaminal 28, and (3) dibromination during the final stage of the total synthesis. The reaction of the (Z)-α-acyloxy-α-alkenylsilane 22 possessing the Boc-homoallylglycine ester as the acyloxy group underwent stereoselective enolate Claisen rearrangement to give the desired erythro product 23. On the other hand, the reaction of the α-acyloxy-α-alkenylsilane (Z)-5 having Boc-proline gave the unexpected threo product 6. Oxidative cleavage of the vinylsilane group of 23 followed by treatment with heptamethyldisilazane as the methylamine equivalent gave aza-spirohemiaminal 28. The problematic regioselective dibromination to 28 was achieved using n-Bu₄NBrCl₂.     

Bismuth(III) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide

Bismuth(III) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (Bi(NTf₂)₃, 3) has been prepared from the reaction of protiodemetallation of tri-p-tolylbismuth by a stoichiometric amount of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amine (1). The intermediates BiPh_3−n(NTf₂)_n (n=2 (4), 1 (5)) resulting from the reaction of 1 with triphenylbismuth have also been isolated. The amide 3 was able to catalyze the benzoylation and the benzenesulfonylation of toluene.     

Synthesis of 4,4-bis(2-hydroperoxyalkyl)pyrazolidine-3,5-diones using manganese(III)-catalyzed autoxidation

The autoxidation of a mixture of 1,2-disubstituted pyrazolidine-3,5-diones 1 and alkenes 2 in the presence of a catalytic amount of manganese(III) acetate dihydrate in air gave 4,4-bis(2-hydroperoxyalkyl)pyrazolidine-3,5-diones 3 in 75-96% yields. The structure of the bis(2-hydroperoxyethyl)pyrazolidine-3,5-dione 3 (R¹=R²=Ph, R³=R⁴=4-FC₆H₄) has been corroborated by an X-ray single crystallographic analysis. On the other hand, the manganese(III) acetate oxidation of a mixture of 1 (R¹=R²=Ph) and 2 (R³=R⁴=Ph) at elevated temperature gave 4,4-bis(2,2-diphenylethenyl)-1,2-diphenylpyrazolidine-3,5-dione (4) in good yield.     

Enantioselective allylation of alkyl glyoxylates catalyzed by (salen)chromium(III) complexes

The enantioselective addition of allylstannanes and allylsilanes to alkyl glyoxylates of type 1, catalyzed by chiral (salen)Cr(III) complexes 3, has been studied. We have found that the reaction proceeded smoothly for low loading (1-2 mol %) of (1R,2R)-(salen)Cr(III)BF₄3a or (1R,2R)-(salen)Cr(III)ClO₄3c, and allyltributyltin under simple, undemanding conditions, affording (R)-2-hydroxypent-4-enoic acid esters 2 in good yield (61-90%) and enantioselectivity (58-76% ee).     

Tricyclic ligands on cyclam core and X-ray crystallographic structure of hexachloro-(1,11:4,8-bis(pyridine-2,6-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,8-diazonia-4,11-diazacyclotetradecane) - dimanganese(II) dimethanol dihydrate solvate

The synthesis of tricyclic compounds on functionalized cyclam core is described. The addition of four methyl acrylate molecules and consecutive condensation of this derivative with ethylenediamine resulted in formation of 1,4,8,11-tetrakis(2-(N-(2-aminoethyl)carbamoyl)ethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (3). Compound 3 was the substrate for further condensation with dialdehydes: iso-phthaldialdehyde and 2,6-pyridinedicarbaldehyde, resulting in spontaneous macrocycle ring closure to give tricyclic derivatives: 1,11:4,8-bis(benzene-1,3-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (4) in the reaction of 3 with iso-phthaldialdehyde and three isomers: 1,4:8,11-bis(pyridine-2,6-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (5A), 1,11:4,8-bis(pyridine-2,6-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (5B), and 1,8:4,11-bis(pyridine-2,6-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (5C) when 2,6-pyridinedicarbaldehyde was used. The compounds 4, 5B, and 5C were identified crystallographically. The isolated 5A converted in solution into the mixture of 5B and 5C as monitored by the ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The tricycle 5 is able to accept two manganese(II) metal ions by reacting with manganese(II) dichloride with simultaneous diprotonation of 5. Structure of the resulting Mn₂(5BH₂)Cl₆·(CH₃OH)₂(H₂O)₂ was determined crystallographically.     

Manganese(III) acetate mediated synthesis of 3-trifluoroacetyl-4,5-dihydrofurans and 3-(dihydrofuran-2(3H)-ylidene)-1,1,1-trifluoroacetones by free radical cyclization. Part 1

2-Trifluoroacetyl-4,5-dihydrofurans were obtained by manganese(III) acetate mediated radical cyclization of trifluoromethyl-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds (1a-c) with conjugated alkenes (2a-h). The reaction of 1,1,1-trifluoropentane-2,4-dione (1a) with propenylbenzene and 1,1-diphenyl-1-butene surprisingly yielded 3-(dihydrofuran-2(3H)-ylidene)-1,1,1-trifluoroacetones besides 3-trifluoroacetyl-4,5-dihydrofurans.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of manganese,nickel and zinc chloride complexes with dimethoxyethane and di(2-methoxyethyl) ether

Reactions of manganese and zinc chloride with dimethoxyethane (DME) in the presence of (CH₃)₃SiCl and water resulted in [MnCl₂(DME)]_n (1) with a polymeric chain structure and in the molecular [ZnCl₂(DME)]₂ (2), respectively. The complexes 1 and 2 reacted with di(2-methoxyethyl) ether (abbreviated diglyme) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent achieving binuclear [MnCl₂(diglyme)]₂ (3) and mononuclear [ZnCl₂(diglyme)] (4), respectively. The complex [NiCl₂(diglyme)]₂ (5) was prepared by the reaction of nickel chloride hexahydrate, diglyme and (CH₃)₃SiCl in THF solvent. A distorted octahedral geometry was found for manganese and nickel ions in the complexes 1, 3 and 5. Linear chains of manganese ions linked by double chloride bridges are present in 1. Two bridging chlorides connect two manganese or nickel atoms into isostructural binuclear molecules 3 and 5, respectively. Two zinc ions in the complex 2 are in different environments, in a tetrahedral and in an octahedral one, while five-coordinate zinc ions are present in the mononuclear complexes 4.     

Synthesis of chromium(III) bis(benzamidinate) complexes via single electron oxidation

Single-electron oxidation of the known Cr(II) bis(amidinate) Cr[(Me₃SiN)₂CPh]₂ (1) provides synthetic access to neutral Cr(III) complexes. The complexes Cr[(Me₃SiN)₂CPh]₂X were prepared by reaction of 1 with AgO₂CPh (X = O₂CPh, 2), of 1 with iodine in THF (X = I/THF, 3), or of 1 with iodine in pentane, followed by addition of 2-adamantanone (X = I/2-adamantanone, 4). Treatment of 2 or 3 with C₃H₅MgCl resulted in the thermally stable allyl complex (X = η³-C₃H₅, 5). A preliminary kinetics study of the reaction of 1 with excess allyl benzoate and allyl acetate was performed. The molecular structures of 2, 3 and 5 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Aqueous syntheses of [(Cp-R)M(CO)3] type complexes (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, M = Mn, Tc, Re) with bioactive functionalities

We describe reactions of [^99mTc(H₂O)₃(CO)₃)]⁺ (1) with Diels-Alder products of cyclopentadiene such as “Thiele’s acid” (HCp-COOH)₂ (2) and derivatives thereof in which the corresponding [(Cp-COOH)^99mTc(CO)₃)] (3) complex did form in water. We propose a metal mediated Diels-Alder reaction mechanism. To show that this reaction was not limited to carboxylate groups, we synthesized conjugates of 2 (HCp-CONHR)₂ (4a-c) (4a, R = benzyl amine; 4b, R = N_α-Boc-l-2,3-diaminopropionic acid and 4c, R = glycine). The corresponding ^99mTc complexes [(4a)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6a, [(4b)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6b and [(4c)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6c have been prepared along the same route as for Thiele’s acid in aqueous media demonstrating the general applicability of this synthetic strategy. The authenticity of the ^99mTc complexes on the no carrier added level have been confirmed by chromatographic comparison with the structurally characterized manganese or rhenium complexes.Studies of the reaction of 1 with Thiele’s acid bound to a solid phase resin demonstrated the formation of [(Cp-COOH)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 3 in a heterogeneous reaction. This is the first evidence for the formation of no carrier added ^99mTc radiopharmaceuticals containing cyclopentadienyl ligands via solid phase syntheses. Macroscopically, the manganese analogue 5a and the rhenium complexes 5b-c have been prepared and characterized by IR, NMR, ESI-MS and X-ray crystallography for 5a (monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 9.8696(2) Å, b = 25.8533(4) Å, c = 11.8414(2) Å, β = 98.7322(17)°) in order to unambiguously assign the authenticity of the corresponding ^99mTc complexes.     

Nickel(II)-azido/thiocyanato complexes of 1-alkyl-2-(naphthylazo)imidazole

[Ni(NaiR)₂(X)₂] (X = N₃ (3, 4) and NCS (5, 6) complexes are synthesized from the reaction of Ni(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with 1-alkyl-2-(naphthyl-α/β-azo)imidazole (α/β-NaiR) and sodium azide (NaN₃) or ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄NCS) (1:2:2 molar ratio) in methanol solution. The complexes are characterized by elemental, spectroscopic and magnetic study. The distorted octahedral structure has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study of [Ni(β-NaiEt)₂(NCS)₂] (6b). Cyclic voltammogram exhibits quasireversible oxidation response at 0.3–0.4 V which is corresponding to Ni(III)/Ni(II) couple along with ligand reductions at negative potential to SCE reference electrode.     

Ruthenium(III) and iridium(III) complexes with nicotine

A new chloride-dimethylsulfoxide-ruthenium(III) complex with nicotine trans-[Ru^IIICl₄(DMSO)[H-(Nicotine)]] (1) and three related iridium(III) complexes; [H-(Nicotine)]trans-[Ir^IIICl₄(DMSO)₂] (2), trans-[Ir^IIICl₄(DMSO)[H-(Nicotine)]] (3) and mer-[Ir^IIICl₃(DMSO)(Nicotine)₂] (4) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and by single crystal X-ray diffraction (1, 2, and 4). Protonated nicotine at pyrrolidine nitrogen is present in complexes 1 and 3 while two neutral nicotine ligands are observed in 4. In these three inner-sphere complexes coordination occurs through the pyridine nitrogen. Moreover, in the outer-sphere complex 2, an electrostatic interaction is observed between a cationic protonated nicotine at the pyrrolidine nitrogen and the anionic trans-[Ir^IIICl₄(DMSO)₂]^¯ complex.     

From bis(silylamino)tin dichlorides via di(1-alkynyl)-bis(silylamino)tin to new heterocycles by 1,1-organoboration

Bis(silylamino)tin dichlorides 1 [X₂SnCl₂ with X=N(Me₃Si)₂ (a), N(9-BBN)SiMe₃ (b), N(^tBu)SiMe₃ (c), and N(SiMe₂CH₂)₂ (d)] were prepared from the reaction of two equivalents of the respective lithium amides (Li-a-d) with tin tetrachloride, SnCl₄, or from the 1:1 reaction of the respective bis(amino)stannylene with SnCl₄. The compounds 1 react with two equivalents of lithium alkynides LiCCR¹ to give the di(1-alkynyl)-bis(silylamino)tin compounds X₂Sn(CCR¹)₂, 2 (R¹=Me), 3 (R¹=^tBu), and 4 (R¹=SiMe₃). Problems were encountered, mainly with LiCC^tBu as well as with 1b, since side reactions also led to the formation of 1-alkynyl-bis(silylamino)tin chlorides 5-7 and tri(1-alkynyl)(silylamino)tin compounds 8 and 9. 1,1-Ethylboration of compounds 2-4 led to stannoles 10, 11, and in the case of propynides, also to 1,4-stannabora-2,5-cyclohexadiene derivatives 12. The molecular structure of the stannole 11b (R¹=SiMe₃) was determined by X-ray analysis. The reaction of 2a and d with triallylborane afforded novel heterocycles, the 1,3-stannabora-2-ethylidene-4-cyclopentenes 14. These reactions proceed via intermolecular 1,1-allylboration, followed by an intramolecular 1,2-allylboration to give 14, and a second intramolecular 1,2-allylboration leads to the bicyclic compounds 15.     

Synthesis of bulky tris[(dimethyl(alkyl/aryl)silyl)methyl]stannanes as radical based reducing agents

The synthesis of novel bulky tris[dimethyl(ethyl/benzyl/p-tolyl/α-naphthyl)silylmethyl]stannanes (1-4) is described. Alkylation of SnCl₄ with Me₂(ethyl/p-tolyl)SiCH₂MgBr (10-11) gave mainly the triorganotin chlorides [(Me₂(ethyl/p-tolyl)SiCH₂)]₃SnCl 14 and 15, which were isolated by silica gel chromatography. Reduction of 14 and 15 with LiAlH₄ in THF gave the corresponding triorganotin hydrides 1 and 2, respectively. [Me₂(benzyl/α-naphthyl)SiCH₂]₃SnCl 16 and 17, generated by the alkylation of SnCl₄ with Me₂(benzyl/α-naphthyl)SiCH₂MgBr 12 and 13, were inseparable from the minor product [Me₂(benzyl/α-naphthyl)SiCH₂]₂SnCl₂18 and 19, respectively. Treatment of the mixtures of 16/18 and 17/19 with NaOH furnished the corresponding mixtures of stannoxanes, from which the hexakisdistannoxanes [Me₂(benzyl/α-naphthyl)SiCH₂]₆Sn₂O 20 and 22 were isolated from the minor dialkyltin oxide derivatives [Me₂(benzyl/α-naphthyl)SiCH₂]₂SnO in good yields. Reduction of 20 and 22 with BH₃ in THF gave [Me₂(benzyl/α-naphthyl)SiCH₂]₃SnH (3 and 4), respectively in good yields. ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn, ²⁹Si NMR characteristics of the newly synthesized compounds are included.     

Di- and tetracarboxylate ligands for highly luminescent terbium(III) complexes on the basis of sulfonylcalix[4]arene scaffold

New di- (2) and tetracarboxylate ligands (4) were prepared on a sulfonylcalix[4]arene platform by O-alkylation of thiacalix[4]arene with ethyl bromoacetate, followed by hydrolysis of the ester function and oxidation of the sulfide bridges. The sulfonyl-based ligands 2 and 4 formed luminescent 1:1 complexes with terbium(III) ion having higher luminescent quantum yield (Φ = 0.29₁ and 0.28₇, respectively) than 1:1 complexes of the corresponding thiacalix[4]arene-based di- (1) and tetracarboxylate ligands (3) (Φ = 0.03₈ and 0.00₃, respectively), implying higher efficiency of sulfonyl ligands (2 and 4) than those of thia ligands (1 and 3) in the energy transfer process.     

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones with the ruthenium(II) catalyst derived from C2 symmetric N,N′-bis[(1S)-1-benzyl-2-O-(diphenylphosphinite)ethyl]ethanediamide

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones with chiral molecular catalysts is realized to be one of the most magnificent tools to access chiral alcohols in organic synthesis. A new chiral phosphinite compound N,N′-bis[(1S)-1-benzyl-2-O-(diphenylphosphinite)ethyl]ethanediamide (1), has been synthesized by the reaction of chlorodiphenylphosphine with N,N′-bis[(1S)-1-benzyl-2-hydroxyethyl]ethanediamide under argon atmosphere. The oxidation of 1 with aqueous hydrogen peroxide, elemental sulfur or grey selenium in toluene gave the corresponding oxide 1a, sulfide 1b and selenide 1c, respectively. Pd, Pt and Ru complexes were obtained by the reaction of 1 with [MCl₂(cod)] (M: Pd 1d, Pt 1e) and [Ru(p-cymene)Cl₂]₂1f, respectively. All these new complexes were characterized by using NMR, FT-IR spectroscopies and microanalysis. Additionally, as a demonstration of their catalytic reactivity, the ruthenium complex 1f was tested as catalyst in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reactions of acetophenone derivatives with iPrOH was also investigated.     

Synthesis of an octasubstituted galactose zinc(II) phthalocyanine

4,5-Bis(1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranos-6-yl)phthalonitrile (3) was prepared by S_NAr reaction of diacetone galactose 1 and 4,5-difluorophthalonitrile (2) in 96% yield. Cyclotetramerization of 3 was achieved via its isoindoline derivative 4, affording the peripherally octasubstituted galactose zinc(II) phthalocyanine 5 in 29% yield. Deprotection of 5 gave the highly water soluble octasubstituted galactose zinc(II) phthalocyanine 6 in 81% yield which will be applied as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and catalytic activity study of Mn(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of quinoxaline-2-carboxalidine-2-amino-5-methylphenol: Crystal structure of the nickel(II) complex

Five new transition metal complexes [MnL(OAc)]·H₂O (1), [FeLCl₂] (2), [NiL₂]·H₂O (3), [CuLCl] (4) and [ZnL₂]·2H₂O (5) have been synthesized using a tridentate Schiff base ligand, HL (quinoxaline-2-carboxalidine-2-amino-5-methylphenol) and the complexes have been characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The spectral analyses reveal an octahedral geometry for 3, square pyramidal structure for 2 and square planar structure for 4. Analytical and physicochemical data indicate tetrahedral structure for 1 and octahedral structure for 5. The crystallographic study reveals that [NiL₂]·H₂O shows distorted octahedral geometry with a cis arrangement of N₄O₂ donor set of the bis Schiff base and exhibits a two-dimensional polymeric structure parallel to [0 1 0] plane. The complexes were screened for catalytic phenol hydroxylation reaction. Coordinatively unsaturated manganese(II), iron(III) and copper(II) complexes were found to be active catalysts. The poor catalytic activity of the nickel(II) complex is due to coordinatively saturated octahedral nature of the complex. Maximum conversion of phenol was observed for the copper(II) complex and the major product was catechol.