Oxidation of Alcohols Catalysed by Iron Complexes on Support

Abstract

Various iron Schiff base and iron 1,3-dicarbonyl complexes were synthesized and exploited as catalysts in the oxidation reaction of alcohols using a mixture of pyridine-acetic acid as a solvent system and tert-butylhydroperoxide as an oxidant at 60°C. Cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol and 2-octanol were employed as model compounds. The comparative oxidation reaction utilizing iron complexes and iron catalyst on support (silica gel and celite) was carried out. Most of iron Schiff base complexes exhibited better catalytic activity than iron 1,3-dicarbonyl complexes. Fe(acac)3 on silica gel was disclosed to be a promising iron catalyst on support. In addition, the use of iron. Schiff base on doped silica gel as a catalyst was explored. The use of a small amount of this type of catalyst gave high yield of product compared with iron Schiff base complexes.