Catalytic oxidation of styrene by manganese(II) bipyridine complex cations immobilized in mesoporous Al-MCM-41

Manganese 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) complex cations, Mn(bpy)₂]²⁺, have been immobilized in mesoporous Al-MCM-41 (Si/Al=9) and used as a catalyst for the oxidation of styrene by iodosylbenzene, H₂O₂ and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). The oxidation products included epoxide, diol and aldehyde. Al-MCM-41-immobilized Mn(bpy)₂]²⁺ exhibited a higher catalytic activity for styrene oxidation than the corresponding homogeneous catalyst and showed no significant loss of catalytic activity when recycled. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.