Highly selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol catalyzed by new peripherally tetra-substituted Fe(II) and Co(II) phthalocyanines

In this study, new iron and cobalt phthalocyanines bearing (2-{2-[3-(dimethylamino)phenoxy]ethoxy}ethoxy) groups at peripheral positions have been synthesized and characterized by the spectroscopic methods (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV–vis, mass spectroscopies and elemental analysis). Catalytic activity of Fe(II) and Co(II) phthalocyanines have been investigated in the presence of an oxidant such as TBHP (tert-buthylhydroperoxide), m-CPBA (m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid) and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide). Fe(II) and Co(II) phthalocyanines exhibit excellent activity and high conversion under mild conditions. Substrate ratio, oxidant ratio, temperature and oxidant type have also been investigated in 3 h and found the best optimum reaction conditions in this catalytic system.