Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in alcohols oxidation using Ru(III) or Ru(VI)

The oxidation reactions of aliphatic alcohols using [Fe(CN)6]3− in alkaline media catalysed by Ru(III) or Ru(VI) imply similar experimental rate equations. A substrate–catalyst complex is formed during the reaction. The complex decomposition produces Ru(IV) and Ru(II) species which react with hexacyanoferrate(III) in order to regenerate the catalyst. A QSAR correlation has been studied to compare the activity of both catalysts in which not only the electronic influence but also the steric effect has been considered. The representation of Taft's equation shows two parallel planes what means that the substituent effect is the same for both catalysts.