Porphinatoiron-Catalyzed Oxygenation of Styrene in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Abstract A quantitative oxygenation of styrene to 1-phenylethanol is realized in a reaction catalyzed by an iron complex of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methyl-4- pyridinio)porphine tetrachloride (FeTMPyP) in water at pH 12 containing NaBH4. A plausible mechanism involving a styrene carbanion stabilized by Fe(III)TMPyP as an intermediate is presented.