A dinuclear iron(II) complex bearing multidentate pyridinyl ligand: Synthesis, characterization and its catalysis on the hydroxylation of aromatic compounds

•The complex catalyzed the oxidation of benzene into phenol with 74% selectivity.•It exhibits universal oxidizing capability on a variety of aromatic compounds.•The products distribution was controlled by both electronic and steric factors.

A dinuclear iron(II) complex Fe2L2(μ2-Cl)2Cl2 (L = N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)prop-2-yn-1-amine) was prepared and fully characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, electrochemical analysis and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. The catalytic activity of the complex was assessed for the hydroxylation of aromatic compounds by using aqueous H2O2 as an oxidant in acetonitrile. The catalytic system was applicable in a wide range of substrates including aromatic compounds with both electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents and showed moderate to good catalytic activity and selectivity in the oxidation reactions. Particularly, in the case of benzene the selectivity of phenol achieve to 74% with the reaction conversion of 24.8%.

Graphical abstractA dinuclear iron(II) complex bearing multidentate pyridinyl ligand showed universal catalytic activity for hydroxylation of substituted aromatics with H2O2 as an oxidant.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide