From Structural Models of Galactose Oxidase to Homogeneous Catalysis: Efficient Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

Abstract

Two reaction pathways are catalyzed by the dinuclear copper(II)-phenoxyl complex 1-a functional model for the metalloenzyme galactose oxidase-by the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols with dioxygen (air) in homogeneous solution to their corresponding aldehydes or ketones and/or 1,2-glycols (oxidative C-C coupling). The reduction product formed is H₂ O₂ , not water.