Direct catalytic benzene hydroxylation under mild reaction conditions by using a monocationic μ-nitrido-bridged iron phthalocyanine dimer with 16 peripheral methyl groups

Abstract

Direct catalytic hydroxylation of benzene under mild reaction conditions proceeded efficiently in the presence of a monocationic μ-nitrido-bridged iron phthalocyanine dimer with 16 peripheral methyl groups in an acetonitrile solution with excess H₂O₂. Mechanistic studies suggested that the reaction was catalyzed by a high-valent iron–oxo species generated in situ. Moreover, the peripheral methyl groups of the catalyst were presumed to have enhanced the production rate of the iron–oxo species.