Liquid phase oxidation of xylenes catalyzed by the tripodal C-scorpionate iron(II) complex [FeCl2{-K3-HC(pz)3}]

A simple and mild (room temperature) process for oxidation of o-, m- or p-xylene to the corresponding methylbenzyl alcohols, tolualdehydes and toluic acids, using H2O2 (30% aqueous solution) and the iron(II) C-scorpionate [FeCl2(K-3-HC(pz)(3))] (pz = pyrazol-1-yl) catalyst is presented. Remarkably, after 5 min of reaction an overall oxygenates yield of 22% (TOF = 1.3 x 10(2)h(-1)) was obtained. The effects of reaction parameters, such as reaction time, temperature, amount of catalyst, type and amount of oxidant are reported and discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.