Catalytic oxidation of alcohols and sulfides with hydrogen peroxide using isoindoline and phthalazine-based diiron complexes

• Synthesis of μ-oxido-diiron(III) complexes with 1,3-bis(2′-arylimino)isoindoline.
• Synthesis of μ-dimethoxido-diiron(III) complexes with 1,4-di-(4′-aryl)aminophthalazine.
• Catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohols and phenyl methyl sulfides.

A series of diiron(III) complexes of 1,3-bis(2′-arylimino)isoindoline, [(Fe(L)Cl)2O] and 1,4-di-(2′-aryl)aminophthalazine, [Fe2(μ-OMe)2(H2L)Cl4], including new structurally characterized ligands, 1,4-di-(4′-methyl-2′-thiazolyl)aminophthalazine and 1,4-di-(2′-benzthiazolyl)-aminophthalazine, have been characterized, and used as catalysts for the oxidation of para-substituted phenyl methyl sulfides and benzyl alcohols. Hammett correlations and kinetic isotope effect experiments support the involvement of electrophilic metal-based oxidants. In case of [(Fe(L1,2)Cl)2O] catalysts, direct correlation has been found between the oxidative and catalase-like activity.

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