Catalytic oxidation of tetralin by biologically active copper and palladium complexes

Abstract The biologically active complexes [Cu(CTZ) 4 ]Cl 2 ( 1 ), [Cu(CTZ) 2 Cl 2 ] 2 ( 2 ) and Pd(CTZ) 2 Cl 2 ( 3 ) were evaluated as catalyst precursors for the homogeneous oxidation of tetralin under aerobic conditions. The catalytic reaction was carried out using the following conditions determined for [Cu(CTZ) 4 ]Cl 2 : T  = 373 K, P air  = 35.0 atm, substrate/catalyst ratio = 700, reaction time = 9 h. These complexes were effective catalyst precursors for the selective oxidation of tetralin to α-tetralone and α-tetralol. Copper complexes 1 and 2 performed better than the palladium complex both in conversion (over 50%) and selectivity towards the production of α-tetralone (one/ol = 3).