Extremely Efficient Alkane Oxidation by a New Catalytic Reagent H2O2/Os3(CO)12/Pyridine

Water-soluble Al(iii), Fe(iii) and Cu(ii) formazanates: synthesis, structure, and applications in alkane and alcohol oxidations

The synthesis, structure and catalytic performance of water-soluble Al(iii), Fe(iii) and Cu(ii) formazanates in the oxidation of cyclohexane and cyclohexanol to the coresponding organic products are reported.

A novel o-vanillin Fe(III) complex catalytically active in C-H oxidation: exploring the magnetic exchange interactions and spectroscopic properties with different DFT functionals

The novel complex [Fe^IIICl(L)₂(H₂O)] (1) was synthesized by interaction of iron(III) chloride with ethanol solution of o-vanillin (HL) and characterized by IR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecules of 1 in the solid state are joined into supramolecular dimeric units, where a set of strong hydrogen bonds predefines the structure of the dimer according to the "key-lock" principle. From the Hirshfield surface analysis the contribution of π⋯π stacking to the overall stabilization of the dimer was found to be negligible. Broken symmetry DFT calculations suggested the presence of long-range antiferromagnetic interactions (J = -0.12 cm^-1 for H = -JS₁S₂ formalism) occurring through the Fe-O⋯O-Fe pathway, as evidenced by the studies of the model dimers where the water molecules were substituted by acetonitrile and acetone ones. The benchmark studies using a set of literature examples and various DFT functionals revealed the hybrid-GGA B3LYP as the best one for prediction of Fe^III⋯Fe^III antiferromagnetic exchange couplings of small magnitude. Magnetic susceptibility measurements confirmed antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal atoms in 1 with a coupling constant of -0.35 cm^-1. Catalytic studies demonstrated that 1 acts as an efficient catalyst in the oxidation of cyclohexane with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of nitric acid promoter and under mild conditions (yield up to 37% based on the substrate), while tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) and m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) as oxidants exhibit less efficiency. Combined UV/TDDFT studies evidence the structural rearrangement of 1 in acetonitrile with the formation of [Fe^IIICl(L)₂(CH₃CN)] species. The TDDFT benchmark using nine common DFT functionals and two model compounds (o-vanillin and [Fe^III(H₂O)₆]³⁺ ion) support the hybrid meta-GGA M06-2X functional as the one most correctly predicting the excited state structure for the Fe(III) complexes, under the conditions studied.

Oxido- and Dioxido-Vanadium(V) Complexes Supported on Carbon Materials: Reusable Catalysts for the Oxidation of Cyclohexane

Oxidovanadium(V) and dioxidovanadium(V) compounds, [VO(OEt)L] (1) and [Et3NH][VO2L] (2), were synthesized using an aroylhydrazone Schiff base (5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-hydroxybenzohydrazide (H2L). They were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), (1H and 51V) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Both complexes were immobilized on functionalized carbon nanotubes and activated carbon. The catalytic performances of 1 and 2, homogenous and anchored on the supports, were evaluated for the first time towards the MW-assisted peroxidative oxidation (with tert-butylhydroperoxide, TBHP) of cyclohexane under heterogeneous conditions. The immobilization of 1 and 2 on functionalized carbon materials improved the efficiency of catalytic oxidation and allowed the catalyst recyclability with a well-preserved catalytic activity.

Oxidation of Organic Compounds with Peroxides Catalyzed by Polynuclear Metal Compounds

The review describes articles that provide data on the synthesis and study of the properties of catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes, olefins, and alcohols. These catalysts are polynuclear complexes of iron, copper, osmium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, vanadium. Such complexes for example are: [Fe2(HPTB)(m-OH)(NO3)2](NO3)2·CH3OH·2H2O, where HPTB-¼N,N,N0,N0-tetrakis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxo-1,3-diaminopropane; complex [(PhSiO1,5)6]2[CuO]4[NaO0.5]4[dppmO2]2, where dppm-1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane; (2,3-η-1,4-diphenylbut-2-en-1,4-dione)undecacarbonyl triangulotriosmium; phenylsilsesquioxane [(PhSiO1.5)10(CoO)5(NaOH)]; bi- and tri-nuclear oxidovanadium(V) complexes [{VO(OEt)(EtOH)}2(L2)] and [{VO(OMe)(H2O)}3(L3)]·2H2O (L2 = bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene)terephthalohydrazide and L3 = tris(2-hydroxybenzylidene)benzene-1,3,5-tricarbohydrazide); [Mn2L2O3][PF6]2 (L = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane). For comparison, articles are introduced describing catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with peroxides, which are simple metal salts or mononuclear metal complexes. In many cases, polynuclear complexes exhibit higher activity compared to mononuclear complexes and exhibit increased regioselectivity, for example, in the oxidation of linear alkanes. The review contains a description of some of the mechanisms of catalytic reactions. Additionally presented are articles comparing the rates of oxidation of solvents and substrates under oxidizing conditions for various catalyst structures, which allows researchers to conclude about the nature of the oxidizing species. This review is focused on recent works, as well as review articles and own original studies of the authors.

Novel H-Bonded Synthons in Copper Supramolecular Frameworks with Aminoethylpiperazine-Based Ligands. Synthesis, Structure and Catalytic Activity

New Schiff base complexes [Cu2(HL1)(L1)(N3)3]∙2H2O (1) and [Cu2L2(N3)2]∙H2O (2) were synthesized. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The HL1 ligand results from the condensation of salicylaldehyde and 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine, while a new organic ligand, H2L2, was formed by the dimerization of HL1 via a coupling of two piperazine rings of HL1 on a carbon atom coming from DMF solvent. The dinuclear building units in 1 and 2 are linked into complex supramolecular networks through hydrogen and coordination bondings, resulting in 2D and 1D architectures, respectively. Single-point and broken-symmetry DFT calculations disclosed negligible singlet-triplet splittings within the dinuclear copper fragments in 1 and 2. Catalytic studies showed a remarkable activity of 1 and 2 towards cyclohexane oxidation with H2O2 in the presence of nitric acid and pyridine as promoters and under mild conditions (yield of products up to 21%). Coordination compound 1 also acts as an active catalyst in the intermolecular coupling of cyclohexane with benzamide using di-tert-butyl peroxide (tBuOOtBu) as a terminal oxidant. Conversion of benzamide at 55% was observed after 24 h reaction time. By-product patterns and plausible reaction mechanisms are discussed.

Metal Complexes Containing Redox-Active Ligands in Oxidation of Hydrocarbons and Alcohols: A Review

Ligands are innocent when they allow oxidation states of the central atoms to be defined. A noninnocent (or redox) ligand is a ligand in a metal complex where the oxidation state is not clear. Dioxygen can be a noninnocent species, since it exists in two oxidation states, i.e., superoxide (O2−) and peroxide (O22−). This review is devoted to oxidations of C–H compounds (saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons) and alcohols with peroxides (hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide) catalyzed by complexes of transition and nontransition metals containing innocent and noninnocent ligands. In many cases, the oxidation is induced by hydroxyl radicals. The mechanisms of the formation of hydroxyl radicals from H2O2 under the action of transition (iron, copper, vanadium, rhenium, etc.) and nontransition (aluminum, gallium, bismuth, etc.) metal ions are discussed. It has been demonstrated that the participation of the second hydrogen peroxide molecule leads to the rapture of O–O bond, and, as a result, to the facilitation of hydroxyl radical generation. The oxidation of alkanes induced by hydroxyl radicals leads to the formation of relatively unstable alkyl hydroperoxides. The data on regioselectivity in alkane oxidation allowed us to identify an oxidizing species generated in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide: (hydroxyl radical or another species). The values of the ratio-of-rate constants of the interaction between an oxidizing species and solvent acetonitrile or alkane gives either the kinetic support for the nature of the oxidizing species or establishes the mechanism of the induction of oxidation catalyzed by a concrete compound. In the case of a bulky catalyst molecule, the ratio of hydroxyl radical attack rates upon the acetonitrile molecule and alkane becomes higher. This can be expanded if we assume that the reactions of hydroxyl radicals occur in a cavity inside a voluminous catalyst molecule, where the ratio of the local concentrations of acetonitrile and alkane is higher than in the whole reaction volume. The works of the authors of this review in this field are described in more detail herein.

Cu(ii) complexes of N-rich aroylhydrazone: magnetism and catalytic activity towards microwave-assisted oxidation of xylenes

The new aroylhydrazone N'-(di(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)pyrazine-2-carbohydrazide (HL) species, rich in N-donor sites, has been used to synthesize Cu(ii) compounds with different nuclearities, viz. the binuclear [Cu₂(μ-1κN³,2κN²O-L)(Cl)₃(MeOH)] (1), the octanuclear [Cu₄(μ-1κN³,2κN²O-L)₂(μ-Cl)₃(Cl)₃]₂ (2) and the 1D coordination polymer [Cu₃(μ₃-1κN³,2κN²O,3κN-L)(μ-NO₃)(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₃]_n·nNO₃ (3). They have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of 2 and 3 have been explored using variable temperature magnetic measurements. The catalytic performances of the compounds were evaluated towards the peroxidative oxidation of o-, p- and m-xylenes under microwave irradiation, leading to the formation of the corresponding methyl benzyl alcohol, tolualdehyde and toluic acid as the major products. Complex 3 exhibits the best catalytic activity towards the oxidation of p-xylene with a total yield of 37% (4-methylbenzyl alcohol + p-tolualdehyde + p-toluic acid).

New Cu4Na4- and Cu5-Based Phenylsilsesquioxanes. Synthesis via Complexation with 1,10-Phenanthroline, Structures and High Catalytic Activity in Alkane Oxidations with Peroxides in Acetonitrile

Self-assembly of copper(II)phenylsilsesquioxane assisted by the use of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) results in isolation of two unusual cage-like compounds: (PhSiO1,5)12(CuO)4(NaO0.5)4(phen)4 1 and (PhSiO1,5)6(PhSiO1,5)7(HO0.5)2(CuO)5(O0.25)2(phen)3 2. X-Ray diffraction study revealed extraordinaire molecular architectures of both products. Namely, complex 1 includes single cyclic (PhSiO1,5)12 silsesquioxane ligand. Four sodium ions of 1 are additionally ligated by 1,10-phenanthrolines. In turn, “sodium-less” complex 2 represents coordination of 1,10-phenanthrolines to copper ions. Two silsesquioxane ligands of 2 are: (i) noncondensed cubane of a rare Si6-type and (ii) unprecedented Si7-based ligand including two HOSiO1.5 fragments. These silanol units were formed due to removal of phenyl groups from silicon atoms, observed in mild conditions. The presence of phenanthroline ligands in products 1 and 2 favored the π–π stacking interactions between neighboring cages. Noticeable that in the case of 1 all four phenanthrolines participated in such supramolecular organization, unlike to complex 2 where one of the three phenanthrolines is not “supramolecularly active”. Complexes 1 and 2 were found to be very efficient precatalysts in oxidations with hydroperoxides. A new method for the determination of the participation of hydroxyl radicals has been developed.

A Comparative Study of the Catalytic Behaviour of Alkoxy-1,3,5-Triazapentadiene Copper(II) Complexes in Cyclohexane Oxidation

The mononuclear copper complexes [Cu{NH=C(OR)NC(OR)=NH}2] with alkoxy-1,3,5-triazapentadiene ligands that have different substituents (R = Me (1), Et (2), nPr (3), iPr (4), CH2CH2OCH3 (5)) were prepared, characterized (including the single crystal X-ray analysis of 3) and studied as catalysts in the mild oxidation of alkanes with H2O2 as an oxidant, pyridine as a promoting agent and cyclohexane as a main model substrate. The complex 4 showed the highest activity with a yield of products up to 18.5% and turnover frequency (TOF) up to 41 h−1. Cyclohexyl hydroperoxide was the main reaction product in all cases. Selectivity parameters in the oxidation of substituted cyclohexanes and adamantane disclosed a dominant free radical reaction mechanism with hydroxyl radicals as C–H-attacking species. The main overoxidation product was 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid, suggesting the presence of a secondary reaction mechanism of a different type. All complexes undergo gradual alteration of their structures in acetonitrile solutions to produce catalytically-active intermediates, as evidenced by UV/Vis spectroscopy and kinetic studies. Complex 4, having tertiary C–H bonds in its iPr substituents, showed the fastest alteration rate, which can be significantly suppressed by using the CD3CN solvent instead of CH3CN one. The observed process was associated to an autocatalytic oxidation of the alkoxy-1,3,5-triazapentadiene ligand. The deuterated complex 4-d32 was prepared and showed higher stability under the same conditions. The complexes 1 and 4 showed different reactivity in the formation of H218O from 18O2 in acetonitrile solutions.

New Oxidovanadium(IV) Complexes with 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenathroline Ligands: Synthesis, Structure and High Catalytic Activity in Oxidations of Alkanes and Alcohols with Peroxides

Reactions of [VCl3(thf)3] or VBr3 with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in a 1:1 molar ratio in air under solventothermal conditions has afforded polymeric oxidovanadium(IV) four complexes 1–4 of a general formula [VO(L)X2]n (L = bpy, phen and X = Cl, Br). Monomeric complex [VO(DMF)(phen)Br2] (4a) has been obtained by the treatment of compound 4 with DMF. The complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of 3 and 4a were determined by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The {VOBr2(bpy)} fragments in 3 form infinite chains due to the V = O…V interactions. The vanadium atom has a distorted octahedral coordination environment. Complexes 1–4 have been tested as catalysts in the homogeneous oxidation of alkanes (to produce corresponding alkyl hydroperoxides which can be easily reduced to alcohols by PPh3) and alcohols (to corresponding ketones) with H2O2 or tert-butyl hydroperoxide in MeCN. Compound 1 exhibited the highest activity. The mechanism of alkane oxidation was established using experimental selectivity and kinetic data and theoretical DFT calculations. The mechanism is of the Fenton type involving the generation of HO• radicals.

Palanquin-Like Cu4Na4 Silsesquioxane Synthesis (via Oxidation of 1,1-bis(Diphenylphosphino)methane), Structure and Catalytic Activity in Alkane or Alcohol Oxidation with Peroxides

The self-assembly synthesis of copper-sodium phenylsilsesquioxane in the presence of 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) results in an unprecedented cage-like product: [(PhSiO1,5)6]2[CuO]4[NaO0.5]4[dppmO2]2 1. The most intriguing feature of the complex 1 is the presence of two oxidized dppm species that act as additional O-ligands for sodium ions. Two cyclic phenylsiloxanolate (PhSiO1,5)6 ligands coordinate in a sandwich manner with the copper(II)-containing layer of the cage. The structure of 1 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 was shown to be a very good catalyst in the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with hydrogen peroxide or tert-butyl hydroperoxide in acetonitrile solution. Thus, cyclohexane (CyH), was transformed into cyclohexyl hydroperoxide (CyOOH), which could be easily reduced by PPh3 to afford stable cyclohexanol with a yield of 26% (turnover number (TON) = 240) based on the starting cyclohexane. 1-Phenylethanol was oxidized by tert-butyl hydroperoxide to give acetophenone in an almost quantitative yield. The selectivity parameters of the oxidation of normal and branched alkanes led to the conclusion that the peroxides H2O2 and tert-BuOOH, under the action of compound (1), decompose to generate the radicals HO• and tert-BuO• which attack the C-H bonds of the substrate.

Copper(ii) complexes with 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, 2,6-di(thiazol-2-yl)pyridine and 2,6-di(pyrazin-2-yl)pyridine substituted with quinolines. Synthesis, structure, antiproliferative activity, and catalytic activity in the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with peroxides

The toxicity of six new Cu(ii) complexes was evaluated in cancer derived cell lines. A model of competitive interaction of hydroxyl radicals with CH₃CN and RH in the catalyst cavity has been proposed.

Vanadium complexes of different nuclearities in the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane and cyclohexanol – an experimental and theoretical investigation

Catalytic activities of oxidovanadium(v) complexes towards microwave-assisted peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane and cyclohexanol are explored by experimental and DFT calculations.

Peroxidative Oxidation of Alkanes and Alcohols under Mild Conditions by Di- and Tetranuclear Copper (II) Complexes of Bis (2-Hydroxybenzylidene) Isophthalohydrazide

Bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene)isophthalohydrazide (H₄L) has been used to synthesize the dinuclear [Cu₂(1κNO²:2κN′O′²-H₂L)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂] (1) and the tetranuclear [Cu₄(μ-1κNO²:2κN′O²-H₂L)₂(μ-NO₃)₂(H₂O)₄]·2C₂H₅OH (2) complexes. The solvent plays an important role in determining the ligand behaviour in the syntheses of the complexes. An ethanol-acetonitrile mixture of solvents favours partials enolization in the case of 2. Both complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, infrared radiation (IR), single crystal X-ray crystallography and electrochemical methods. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 2 show strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the central nitrato-bridged Cu (II) ions. The catalytic activity of both 1 and 2 has been screened toward the solvent-free microwave-assisted oxidation of alcohols and the peroxidative oxidation of alkanes under mild conditions. Complex 1 exhibits the highest activity for both oxidation reactions, leading selectively to a maximum product yield of 99% (for the 1-phenylethanol oxidation after 1 h without any additive) and 13% (for the cyclohexane oxidation to cyclohexyl hydroperoxide, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone after 3 h).

High-Cluster (Cu9) Cage Silsesquioxanes: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity

Unusual high-cluster (Cu₉) cage phenylsilsesquioxanes were obtained via complexation of in situ Cu^II,Na-silsesquioxane species formed with phenanthroline and neocuproine. In the first case, phenanthroline, acting as "a silent ligand" (not participating in the composition of the final product), favors the formation of an unprecedented cagelike phenylsilsesquioxane of Cu₉Na₆ nuclearity, 1. In the second case, neocuproine ligands withdraws two Cu ions from the metallasilsesquioxane matrix, producing two cationic fragments Cu⁺(neocuproine)₂. The remaining metallasilsesquioxane is rearranged into an anionic cage of Cu₉Na₄ nuclearity, finalizing the formation of a specific ionic complex, 2. The impressive molecular architecture of both types of complexes, e.g., the presence of different (cyclic/acyclic) types of silsesquioxane ligands, was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Compound 1 was revealed to be highly active in the oxidative amidation of benzylic alcohol and the catalyst loading could be reduced down to 100 ppm of Cu. Catalytic studies of compound 1 demonstrated its high activity in hydroperoxidation of alkanes with H₂O₂ and oxidation of alcohols to ketones with tert-BuOOH.

Heterometallic CuIIFeIII and CuIIMnIII alkoxo-bridged complexes revealing a rare hexanuclear M6(μ-X)7(μ3-X)2 molecular core

The novel hexanuclear complexes [Cu4Fe2(OH)(Piv)4(tBuDea)4Cl]·0.5CH3CN (1) and [Cu4Mn2(OH)(Piv)4(tBuDea)4Cl] (2) were prepared through one-pot self-assembly reactions of copper powder and iron(ii) or manganese(ii) chloride with N-tert-butyldiethanolamine (H2tBuDea) and pivalic acid (HPiv) in acetonitrile. Crystallographic studies revealed the uncommon molecular core type M6(μ-X)7(μ3-X)2 in 1 and 2, which can be viewed as a combination of two trimetallic M3(μ-X)2(μ3-X) fragments joined by three bridging atoms. The analysis and classification of the hexanuclear complexes having a M3(μ-X)2(μ3-X) moiety as a core forming fragment using data from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) were performed. Variable-temperature (1.8-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 showed a decrease of the effective magnetic moment value at low temperature, indicative of antiferromagnetic coupling between the magnetic centres (JFe-Cu/hc = -6.9 cm-1, JCu-Cu/hc = -4.1 cm-1, JFe-Fe/hc = -24.2 cm-1). Complex 1 acts as a catalyst in the reaction of mild oxidation of cyclohexane with H2O2, showing the yields of products, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, up to 17% using pyrazinecarboxylic acid as a promoter. In the oxidation of cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA), 70% of retention of stereoconfiguration was observed for tertiary alcohols. Compound 1 also catalyses the amidation of cyclohexane with benzamide. In all three catalytic reactions the by-products were investigated in detail and discussed.

Copper(ii) complexes of functionalized 2,2':6',2''-terpyridines and 2,6-di(thiazol-2-yl)pyridine: structure, spectroscopy, cytotoxicity and catalytic activity

Six new copper(ii) complexes with 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (4'-Rⁿ-terpy) [1 (R¹ = furan-2-yl), 2 (R² = thiophen-2-yl), and 3 (R³ = 1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)] and 2,6-di(thiazol-2-yl)pyridine derivatives (Rⁿ-dtpy) [4 (R¹), 5 (R²), and 6 (R³)] have been synthesized by a reaction between copper(ii) chloride and the corresponding ligand. The complexes have been characterized by UV-vis and IR spectroscopy, and their structures have been determined by X-ray analysis. The antiproliferative potential of copper(ii) complexes of 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine and 2,6-di(thiazol-2-yl)pyridine derivatives towards human colorectal (HCT116) and ovarian (A2780) carcinoma as well as towards lung (A549) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cell lines was examined. Complex 1 and complex 6 were found to have the highest antiproliferative effect on A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells, particularly when compared with complex 2, 3 with no antiproliferative effect. The order of cytotoxicity in this cell line is 6 > 1 > 5 > 4 > 2 ≈ 3. Complex 2 seems to be much more specific towards colorectal carcinoma HCT116 and lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. The viability loss induced by the complexes agrees with Hoechst 33258 staining and typical morphological apoptotic characteristics like chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. The specificity towards different types of cell lines and the low cytotoxic activity towards healthy cells are of particular interest and are a positive feature for further developments. Complexes 1-6 were also tested in the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl-hydroperoxide (TBHP). The most active catalyst 4 gave, after 120 min, 0.105 M of cyclohexanol + cyclohexanone after reduction with PPh₃. This concentration corresponds to a yield of 23% and TON = 210. Oxidation of cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane with m-CPBA catalyzed by 4 in the presence of HNO₃ gave a product of a stereoselective reaction (trans/cis = 0.47). Oxidation of secondary alcohols afforded the target ketones in yields up to 98% and TON = 630.

Comparison of microwave and mechanochemical energy inputs in the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane

The effect of microwave and mechanochemical ball milling energy inputs was studied for the peroxidative oxidation (with aqueous H2O2) of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, over CoCl2 and/or V2O5 dispersed (μm scale) catalysts. A maximum total yield of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone of 43% after 1 h of reaction at 30 °C, in acetonitrile and under microwave irradiation (5 W), was achieved over the CoCl2-V2O5 (3 : 1) catalyst prepared by ball milling. Cyclohexanol is the main final product with a selectivity of up to 93% over cyclohexanone. Conducting the oxidation reaction under microwave irradiation under the same conditions but without any mechanochemical treatment of the catalyst prior to use resulted in a lower total yield of 30% with a lower selectivity (69%) towards cyclohexanol over cyclohexanone. The sole application of mechanochemical treatment for the catalyst preparation and the catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane allowed to reach yields of 29% after 1 h of reaction, at room temperature, without microwave irradiation and any additive and in the absence of any organic solvent. Ball milling is shown to provide a convenient, solvent-free method to disperse these solid catalysts and to promote the above cyclohexane oxidation, although, in the latter case, not so effectively as microwave irradiation.

Oxidative functionalization of C–H compounds induced by the extremely efficient osmium catalysts (a review)

In recent years, osmium complexes have found applications not only in thecis-hydroxylation of olefins but also very efficient in the oxygenation of C–H compounds (saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons and alcohols) by hydrogen peroxide as well as organic peroxides.

New oxidovanadium(iv) complex with a BIAN ligand: synthesis, structure, redox properties and catalytic activity

The combination of a new oxidovanadium(iv) complex1with pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (PCA; a cocatalyst) affords a catalytic system for the efficient oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons.

Si10Cu6N4 Cage Hexacoppersilsesquioxanes Containing N Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and High Catalytic Activity in Peroxide Oxidations

The synthesis, composition, and catalytic properties of a new family of hexanuclear Cu(II)-based phenylsilsesquioxanes are described here. Structural studies of 17 synthesized compounds revealed the general principle underlying their molecular topology: viz., a central metal oxide layer consisting of two Cu₃ trimers is coordinated by two cyclic [PhSiO_1.5]₅ siloxanolate ligands to form a skewed sandwich architecture with the composition [(PhSiO_1.5)₁₀(CuO)₆]²⁺. In addition to this O ligation by the siloxanolate rings, two opposite copper ions are additionally coordinated by the nitrogen atoms of corresponding N ligand(s), such as 2,2'-bipyridine (compounds 1-9), 1,10-phenanthroline (compounds 10-13), mixed 1,10-phenanthroline/2,2'-bipyridine (compound 14), or bathophenanthroline (compounds 15-17). Finally, the charge balance is maintained by two HO^- (compounds 1-7, 10-13, and 15-17), two H₃CO^- (compound 8), or two CH₃COO^- (compounds 9 and 14) anions. Complexes 1 and 10 exhibited a high activity in the oxidative amidation oxidation of alcohols. Compounds 1, 10, and 15 are very efficient homogeneous catalysts in the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with peroxides.

Halide Control of N,N-Coordination versus N,C-Cyclometalation and Stereospecific Phenyl Ring Deuteration of Osmium(II) p-Cymene Phenylazobenzothiazole Complexes

We report the synthesis of halido Os(II) p-cymene complexes bearing bidentate chelating phenylazobenzothiazole (AZBTZ) ligands. Unlike the analogous phenylazopyridine (AZPY) complexes, AZBTZ-NMe2 is capable of both N,N-coordination to Os(II) and cyclometalation to form N,C-coordinated species. N,C-Coordination occurs via an azo nitrogen and an ortho carbon on the aniline ring, as identified by 1H NMR and X-ray crystallography of [Os(p-cym)(N,N-AZBTZ-NMe2)Cl]PF6 (1a), [Os(p-cym)(N,N-AZBTZ-NMe2)Br]PF6 (2a), [Os(p-cym)(N,C-AZBTZ-NMe2)Br] (2b), and [Os(p-cym)(N,C-AZBTZ-NMe2)I] (3b). The N,C-coordinated species is more stable and is not readily converted to the N,N-coordinated complex. Analysis of the crystal structures suggests that their formation is influenced by steric interactions between the p-cym and AZBTZ-NMe2 ligands: in particular, larger monodentate halide ligands favor N,C-coordination. The complexes [Os(p-cym)(N,N-Me2-AZBTZ-NH2)Cl]PF6 (4) and [Os(p-cym)(N,N-Me2-AZBTZ-NH2)I]PF6 (5) were synthesized with methyl groups blocking the ortho positions on the aniline ring, forcing an N,N-coordination geometry. 1H NMR NOE experiments confirmed hindered rotation of the arene ligand and steric crowding around the metal center. Complex 2b exhibited unexpected behavior under acidic conditions, involving regiospecific deuteration of the aniline ring at the meta position, as observed by 1H NMR and high-resolution ESI-MS. Deuterium exchange occurs only under acidic conditions, suggesting an associative mechanism. The calculated partial charges on 2b show that the meta carbon is significantly more negatively charged, which may account for the regiospecificity of deuterium exchange.