Catechol oxidase and phenoxazinone synthase activity of a manganese(II) isoindoline complex

The mononuclear [Mn(6′Me2indH)(H2O)2(CH3CN)](ClO4)2 (6′Me2indH: 1,3-bis(6′-methyl-2′-pyridylimino)isoindoline) complex has been prepared and characterized by various techniques such as elemental analysis, IR, UV–visible and ESR spectroscopy. The title compound was suitable as catalyst for the catalytic oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBCH2) to 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone (3,5-DTBQ) (catecholase activity), and o-aminophenol (OAPH) to 2-aminophenoxazine-3-one (APX) (phenoxazinone synthase activity) with dioxygen at ambient condition in good yields. Kinetic measurements revealed first-order dependence on the catalyst and dioxygen concentration and saturation type behavior with respect to the corresponding substrate. It was also found that the added triethylamine in both systems accelerates the reaction.