The use of iron catalysts in the oxidation of organic molecules has broad advantage and application. Iron is cheap, abundant and environmentally benign. We have undertaken absorption spectroscopic studies to understand the kinetics and mechanism of oxidation reactions catalyzed by iron complexes. More specifically, we are working with the commercially available White-Chen catalyst and a small series of iron(II) α-aminopyridine complexes, the two most commonly used oxidants H2O2 and tBuOOH, and a variety of substrates with visible absorption spectra. By following both spectral changes and fitting absorbance changes as a function of time, we are able to characterize changes in both the metal complex and the substrates. This allows us to isolate the kinetic signatures of multiple processes that accompany the reactions. For example, does peroxide (pre)react with the complex to prepare the catalytic species? Are these coincident with substrate oxidation? These and related questions are addressed in this study.

Assay and mechanistic investigations of iron oxidation catalysts

249th National Meeting (2015)

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