Cyclohexane oxidation catalyzed by 2,2′-bipyridil Cu(II) complexes

In this work we present the use of three mononuclear Cu(II) complexes containing the ligand 2,2′-bipyridil as catalyst in the cyclohexane oxidation, using hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. The reactions were carried out in acetonitrile–H2O at room temperature and at 50 °C. The complexes [Cu(bipy)3]Cl2, [Cu(bipy)2Cl]Cl, [Cu(bipy)Cl2] were able to oxidize cyclohexane into cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone and cyclohexyl hydroperoxide. Yields up to 43.7% were obtained for the system [Cu(bipy)Cl2]/H2O2.