Catalytic oxidation of primary aromatic amines with sodium periodate catalyzed by Mn(III)salophen complex supported on polystyrene-bound imidazole

The catalytic activity of Mn(III)salophen complex supported on polystyrene-bound imidazole, [Mn(salophen)Cl-PSI], was studied in the oxidation of primary aromatic amines in acetonitrile/water, using sodium periodate as an oxygen source. Amines were oxidized efficiently to their corresponding azo derivatives in the presence of this catalyst. The heterogeneous catalyst showed high stability and reusability in the oxidation reactions and could be reused several times without loss of its activity. The effect of different solvents was studied in the oxidation of p-toluidine and CH₃CN/H₂O was chosen as the solvent.