Selective single-pot oxidation of cyclohexane by molecular oxygen in presence of bis(maltolato)oxovanadium complexes covalently bonded to carbamated modified silica gel

Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium complexes have been covalently bonded to carbamated modified silica gel and shown to act as catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexane by dioxygen, to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone with a good activity and selectivity, without any additive and under relatively mild reactions. The effects of various factors were investigated towards the optimization of the reaction conditions and evidence is presented for a free-radical mechanism.