Self-assembly of mixed-valence and heterometallic metallocycles: efficient catalysts for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes in ambient air

Abstract

Two mixed-valence Cu^II/Cu^I and two heterometallic Cu^II/Ag^I metallocycles have been synthesized by the assembly of designed metalloligands and Cu^I/Ag^I ions, respectively. The Cu^II/Cu^I metallocycle can catalyze the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes mediated by a co-catalyst, TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperdine-1-oxyl), with ambient air as an oxidant, while the Cu^II/Ag^I metallocycle has no catalytic effect.