Homogeneous m-CPBA-oxidation of anthracene by electron-withdrawing metalloporphyrins in different reaction conditions

Anthracene was oxidized to anthrone, oxanthrone and anthraquinone with m-CPBA as oxidant and iron and manganese porphyrins as catalysts. The oxidation data in different conditions showed that CH3CN aprotic solvent resulted in the production of anthraquinone formation high selectivity. In the presence of water, CH3CN:H2O (4:1), sum of the yields are higher than 100% that indicated an autoxidation mechanism involving dioxygen trapping of substrate radical.