Iron and copper complexes with nitrogen-containing ligands as catalysts for cyclohexane oxidation with hydrogen peroxide under mild reaction conditions

Abstract

Oxidation of cyclohexane (CH) with hydrogen peroxide under mild reaction conditions in the presence of systems containing in situ generated iron complexes with nitrogen-containing ligands (2,2′-bipyridyl and o -phenanthroline) and chlorinated (Cl15) copper phthalocyanine (CuPcCl 15 ) have been studied. It has been shown that in water-acetonitrile blends under optimum conditions, CH is oxidized with the formation of cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, and acids involving cyclohexane hydroperoxide. High total selectivity for ketone and alcohol is reached in the excess of ligands and the substrate.