A new square planar mononuclear MnIII complex for catalytic epoxidation of stilbene

The manganese(III) complex (2) with a diamide ligand has been synthesized. This complex was found to catalyze both the epoxidation of (Z)- and (E)-stilbene with high conversion and the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde.

Using 2 as catalyst, both (Z)- and (E)-stilbene may be converted to the epoxide in good yield. The mayor products were formed from cis-addition of the oxygen but some of the isomeric epoxide was also formed in each case.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide