Polystyrene-bound imidazole as a heterogeneous axial ligand for Mn(TPP)Cl and its use as hydrocarbon monooxygenation catalyst in the alkene epoxidation and alkane hydroxylation with sodium periodate under various reaction conditions

Polystyrene-bound imidazole (PSI) is not only a heterogeneous axial base but also a support for immobilization of tetraphenylporphyrinatomanganese (III) chloride. Mn(TPP)Cl-PSI catalyze alkene epoxidation with sodium periodate under agitation with magnetic stirring. Alkyl aromatic and cycloalkanes oxidize efficiently to their corresponding alcohols and ketones in the presence of this catalyst. Ultrasonic irradiation enhanced the catalytic activity of this catalyst in alkene epoxidation and alkane hydroxylation and this led to shorter reaction times and higher product yields. This new heterogenized catalyst is of high stability and reusability in the oxidation reactions.