Mechanism of selective p-quinol formation in the cobalt schiff base complex-catalyzed oxygenation of 4-alkyl-2,6-di-t-butylphenols

The selective formation of $\text{p}$-quinols in the Co(Salpr)-catalyzed oxygenation of 4-alkyl-2,6-di-$\text{t}$-butylphenols in MeOH has been found to involve the rate determining reduction of peroxy-$\text{p}$-quinolato Co(III) complex formed in the initial fast step. An ionic mechanism of the reduction of the OO bond in the peroxy complex by MeOH has been discussed based on kinetic studies. The reactive species in the catalytic cycle is found to be Co(III)(Salpr)(OH)].