Catalytic behaviour of the Cu(i)/L/TEMPO system for aerobic oxidation of alcohols - a kinetic and predictive model.

Here, we disclose a new copper(i)-Schiff base complex series for selective oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes under benign conditions. The catalytic protocol involves 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine--oxyl (TEMPO), -methylimidazole (NMI), ambient air, acetonitrile, and room temperature. This system provides a straightforward and rapid pathway to a series of Schiff bases, particularly, the copper(i) complexes bearing the substituted (furan-2-yl)imine bases -(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(furan-2-yl)methanimine (L2) and -(2-fluoro-4-nitrophenyl)-1-(furan-2-yl)methanimine (L4) have shown excellent yields.