Oxidation of cyclohexane by transition-metal complexes with biomimetic ligands

► Cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol were the main products of cyclohexane oxidation. ► TON and yields of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol were: Fe(III) > VO(IV) > Cu(II). ► The Fe(III) N2O2 Schiff base catalysts is the best catalyst. ► The Fe(II) complex with N4 Schiff base gave lower TON. ► [Fe(salhd)Cl] activity was tuned by electro donating groups in the salen ligand.