Comparison of TEMPO and its derivatives as mediators in laccase catalysed oxidation of alcohols

A series of TEMPO (2,2′,6,6′-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy) derivatives were studied as mediators of laccase (from Trametes versicolor) in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and 1-phenylethyl alcohol. TEMPO (1), 4-hydroxy-TEMPO (2) and 4-acetylamino-TEMPO (4) turned out to be the most active mediators for laccase. In addition, 4-acetylamino-TEMPO and 4-hydroxy-TEMPO were more active in the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol compared to TEMPO. For these mediators kinetic isotope effects in the range of 2.1-3.2 were observed for α-monodeutero-p-methylbenzyl alcohol oxidation. These values are consistent with a mechanism involving oxoammonium intermediacy. Competition experiments between benzyl alcohol and 1-phenylethanol showed that TEMPO and its derivatives react faster with primary alcohols than with secondary alcohols, also in line with the proposed mechanism.