Catalytically Active Iron(Iv)Oxo Species Based On A Bis(Pyridinyl)Phenanthrolinylmethane

Starting from the mononuclear iron(II) complex [Fe(MeCPy(2)Phen)(MeCN)(2)](2+), a non-heme Fe(IV)oxo complex [Fe-IV(MeCPy(2)Phen)O](2+) was synthesized via oxidation with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA). The Fe(IV)oxo complex was characterized using UV/Vis spectroscopy, Mossbauer spectroscopy and CSI mass spectrometry. The ability of this species to oxidize C-H bonds was tested with cyclohexane and adamantane as model substrates. For cyclohexane, an alcohol-to-ketone ratio (A/K) of 6.1 and efficiencies up to 55 were obtained. In case of adamantane, the ratio of tertiary over secondary products (3 degrees/2 degrees) is 38. In combination, this indicates the iron(IV)oxo complex being the catalytically active species.