Facile synthesis of highly active Co(II) and Fe(II) phthalocyanine catalysts for aerobic oxidation of phenolic compounds

Abstract

<div><p>In this work, 2,3-dichlorophenoxy substituted cobalt and iron phthalocyanines have been synthesized and used as efficient catalysts for aerobic oxidation of nitrophenols. Co(II) and Fe(II) phthalocyanines have been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–vis, and mass spectroscopies. <i>tert</i>-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), <i>m</i>-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and air oxygen have been used as oxygen source. These catalysts offered the highest activity on 4-nitrophenol oxidation in 3 h. In order to achieve the best reaction conditions, oxidant ratio, temperature, and oxidant type have been investigated with different nitrophenols in 3 h.</p></div