Photocatalytic oxidation of alkenes and alcohols in water by a manganese(V) nitrido complex

Mn(V) nitrido complex [Mn(N)(CN)(4)](2-) is an efficient catalyst for visible-light induced oxidation of alkenes and alcohols in water using [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) as a photosensitizer and [Co(NH3)(5)Cl](2+) as a sacrificial oxidant. Alkenes are oxidized to epoxides and alcohols to carbonyl compounds.