Monomeric molecular modified polymer-bound iron complexes for the oxidation of cyclohexene

Polymer-bound 2,2′-bipyridine–iron(II,III) complexes have been shown catalytically oxidize cyclic alkenes with atmospheric pressure of molecular oxygen or air in the absence of solvent at ∼70°C. When cyclohexene are oxidized, the double bonds are maintained and 2-cyclohexen-1-ol as well as 2-cyclohexen-1-one is produced with the selectivity to total alcohols and ketones in the range of 92.5–97.7%. The catalytic activity and selectivity are influenced by the polymer supported ligands, monomeric ligands and additives. Complexes with mixed ligands or with coordinatively unsaturated structures exhibit higher catalytic activity compared with the reference complexes.