Copper catalysed aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols in an imidazole containing N ligand framework.

The catalytic aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols to corresponding aldehydes has been investigated employing a tetradentate copper(ii) complex that incorporates N-methyl imidazole (NMI) as an integral part of an N-ligand framework. The complex [L-Cu] [(L = 1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl(2-ethyl)amine] has been synthesized, characterized by spectroscopic and structural techniques, and its catalytic activity towards the aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols studied under ambient conditions. Catalytic turnover required addition of the nitroxyl radical initiator TEMPO.