A novel homodinuclear manganese(III) complex with N,N′-bis(salicylidene)diethylenetriamine: Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity

•Synthesis and structure of a new dinuclear Mn(III) complex of a tetradentate ligand.•The complex shows high selectivity in the oxidation of cyclohexene and cyclohexane.•The highest reported selectivity to cyclohexanol for manganese catalysts.

A novel chloride bridged dinuclear manganese(III) complex was prepared and its structure established by X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex showed high selectivity in H2O2 promoted oxidation of cyclohexane and cyclic alkenes. Under optimized conditions, 72% of cyclohexane conversion with 85% of selectivity for alcohol was achieved after 5 h. To the best of our knowledge this activity and remarkable selectivity to cyclohexanol is the highest for a manganese catalyst.

Graphical abstractSynthesis and structure of a novel dinuclear manganese(III) complex are reported. A remarkable selectivity to the cyclohexanol has been accomplished by the manganese catalyst in the oxidation of cyclohexane using aqueous H2O2 as the oxidant without any cocatalyst.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide