MnIIILx/t-BuOOH-induced activation of dioxygen for the oxygenation of cyclohexene

Several manganese (III) complexes (Mn^IIIL_x) in combination with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) activate dioxygen (O₂) to oxygenate cyclohexene (c-C₆H₁₀) to its ketone, alcohol, and epoxide. The product profiles depend on the ligand and solvent matrix. With picolinate (PA), bipyridine (bpy), or triphenylphosphine oxide (OPPh₃) as the ligand in py/HOAc (2:1 molar ratio) dominant product is the ketone c-C₆H₈(O)] whereas Schiff–base complexes produce c-C₆H₈(O), c-C₆H₉(OH) and the epoxide in almost equal yields. However, in MeCN c-C₆H₈(O) is the dominant product for all of the complexes.