Selective oxidation of alcohols catalysed by a cubane-like Co(III) oxo cluster immobilised on porous organomodified silica

A catalytically active tetrameric cubane-like complex [CoIII4(μ3-O)4(μ-O2CCH3)4(py)4] (1) has been prepared, structurally characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and immobilised on a porous organomodified silica, which is amorphous in nature. The resulting supported reagent has been found to promote the efficient and selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols and cyclohexanols with TBHP as the oxidant. The catalyst can be reused without any significant loss of activity.

Graphical abstractA tetrameric cubane-like complex [Co4(μ3-O)4(μ-O2CCH3)4(py)4] immobilised on porous organomodified silica catalyses the selective oxidation of alcohols in heterogeneous phase with TBHP as the oxidant under atmospheric pressure.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide