The oxidation of benzyl alcohol by the polypyridyl Cu(II) complexes as catalysts

Two polypyridyl copper(II) complexes, [Cu(phen)(phen-dione)Cl]Cl ( 1 ) and [Cu(bpy) (phen-dione)Cl]Cl ( 2 ), (where Phen =1,10-phenanthroline, bpy =2,2'-bipyridine and Phen-dione = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione), were used as new efficient catalysts for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. The effects of various parameters such as reaction temperature, reaction time, etc, were studied. The catalysts were stable at the operation conditions and recyclable. The conversion percentage for complex 1 was higher than complex 2.

Keywords:

Copper(II) complex , Benzyl alcohol , Aldehyde , Catalytic oxidation , 1 , 10-phenanthroline- 5 , 6-dione