Mechanism of Cis-Dihydroxylation and Epoxidation of Alkenes by Highly H2O2 Efficient Dinuclear Manganese Catalysts

Four-coordinate trispyrazolylboratomanganese and -iron complexes with a pyrazolato co-ligand: syntheses and properties as oxidation catalysts

A series of complexes of the type [(Tp(R1,R2))M(X)] (Tp = trispyrazolylborato) with R(1)/R(2) combinations Me/tBu, Ph/Me, iPr/iPr, Me/Me and for M = Mn or Fe coordinating [Pz(Me,tBu)](-) (Pz = pyrazolato) or Cl(-) as co-ligand X has been synthesised. Although the chloride complexes were very unreactive and stable in air, the pyrazolato series was far more reactive in contact with oxidants like O(2) and tBuOOH. The [(Tp(R1,R2))M(Pz(Me,tBu))] complexes proved to be active pre-catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexene with tBuOOH, reaching turnover frequencies (TOFs) ranging between moderate and good in comparison to other manganese catalysts. Cyclohexene-3-one and cyclohexene-3-ol were always found to represent the main products, with cyclohexene oxide occasionally formed as a side product. The ratios of the different oxidation products varied with the reaction conditions: in the case of a peroxide/alkene ratio of 4:1, considerably more ketone than alcohol was obtained and cyclohexene oxide formation was almost negligible, whereas a ratio of 1:10 led to a significant increase of the alcohol proportion and to the formation of at least small amounts of the epoxide. Pre-treatment of the dissolved [(Tp(R1,R2))M(Pz(Me,tBu))] pre-catalysts with O(2) led to product distributions and TOFs that were very similar to those found in the absence of O(2), so that it may be argued that tBuOOH and O(2) both lead to the same active species. The results of EPR spectroscopy and ESI-MS suggest that the initial product of the reaction of [(Tp(Me,Me))Mn(Pz(Me,tBu))] with O(2) contains a Mn(III)(O)(2)Mn(IV) core. Prolonged exposure to O(2) leads to a different dinuclear complex containing three O-bridges and resulting in different TOFs/product distributions. Analogous findings were made for other complexes and formation of these overoxidised products may explain the deviation of the catalytic performances if the reactions are carried out in an O(2) atmosphere.

Practical manganese-catalysed highly enantioselective cis-dihydroxylation of electron-deficient alkenes and detection of a cis-dioxomanganese(V) intermediate by high resolution ESI-MS analysis

A practical protocol has been developed for asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation of electron-deficient alkenes with Oxone catalysed by a manganese complex bearing a chiral tetradentate N(4)-donor ligand affording cis-diols in up to 95% yield with up to 96% ee. Analysis of the reaction mixture by high resolution ESI-MS revealed the formation of a cis-dioxomanganese(V) intermediate.

Efficient and selective peracetic Acid epoxidation catalyzed by a robust manganese catalyst

A manganese catalyst containing a tetradentate ligand derived from triazacyclononane exhibits high catalytic activity in epoxidation reactions using peracetic acid as oxidant. The system exhibits broad substrate scope and requires small (0.1-0.15 mol %) catalyst loading. The catalyst is remarkably selective toward aliphatic cis-olefins. Mechanistic studies point toward an electrophilic oxidant delivering the oxygen atom in a concerted step.