Regioselective oxidation of hydrocarbons using a chemical catalyst that is cost-effective, robust and avoid self-oxidation is a challenge facing many synthetic chemists. Nature on the other hand, unequivocally performs such reactions under ambient conditions as many important biological transformations require activation of C-H bond. Metalloenzymes with Fe and Cu in their active site are particularly relevant in this regard. Inspired by nature, we embarked upon understanding reactivity of copper compounds towards substrate oxidation. We have synthesized copper containing coordination complexes supported by tetradentate and pentadentate ligands. We are investigating the reactions of these Cu (II) complexes with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a strong oxidant toward different organic substrates. In this talk, the synthesis and reactivity results will be presented. Furthermore, our recent results about the nature of activated O—O bond cleavage by using cumene hydroperoxide as an oxidant will also be briefly discussed.

Reactivity of Cu(II) compounds with peroxides: Roles of ligands in C-H bond activation

254th National Meeting (2017)

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