Oxo complexes of ruthenium with N,N′-donors as oxidation catalysts for alkenes, alkanes and alcohols, and their osmium analogues

Abstract

Catalysis of the epoxidation of alkenes and oxidation of alkanes and alcohols by a variety of bis-bipy (2,2′-bipyridyl) and bis-phen (1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium complexes with NaIO₄ or [NBu₄] IO₄ as co-oxidants has been investigated together with similar oxidations with [RuO₂(bipy){IO₃(OH)₃}]·1.5H₂O. The new complexes [RuO₂(bipy){TeO₂(OH)₄}] and [OsO₂(L–L){IO₃(OH)₃}](L–L = bipy, phen or 2,2′-dipyridylamine) have been prepared and characterised.