Selective formation of peroxy-p-quinolato Co(III) complexes in the oxygenation of 4-alkyl-2,6-di-t-butylphenols with Co(II)-Schiff's base complexes

The oxygenation of 4-alkyl-2,6-di-$\text{t}$-butylphenols ($\text{2}$) with Co(II)-Schiff's base complexes in aprotic solvents such as CH₂Cl₂, THF, Py, and DMF leads to highly selective formation of the corresponding peroxy-$\text{p}$-quinolato Co(III) complexes. The reaction proceeds by mechanism involving a rate determining hydrogen abstraction by superoxo Co(III) species from $\text{2}$ giving phenoxy radical, rapid step of electron transfer from Co(II) complex to the phenoxy radical, and dioxygen incorporation into phenolato Co(III) complex thus formed.