Platinum meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (Pt(II)TPP) mediated the efficient oxidation of alkyl aromatics to ketones in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide

A highly efficient and selective protocol for the oxidation of alkyl aromatics with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) oxidant over platinum meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (Pt(II)TPP) was developed. Various alkyl aromatics were selectively converted to ketones smoothly with yields higher than 90% under the optimized conditions. Kinetic studies revealed that the oxidation was first-order with respect to the substrate, and the activation energy (Ea) was 50.8 kJ mol−1. Moreover, a mechanism involving high-valence platinum species and free radicals was proposed.