Triazaphosphaadamantane-functionalized terpyridine metal complexes: cyclohexane oxidation in homogeneous and carbon-supported catalysis

In accordance with UN's Sustainable Development Goal (UN's SDG) 12 which encompasses the sustainable use of chemical products and a sound circular economy, this work is focused on the synthesis of Co(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) complexes bearing combined 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane and benzyl terpyridine core moieties (PTA–Bztpy) as ligand, followed by their evaluation as catalysts for the microwave-assisted cyclohexane oxidation using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. The most active catalyst, with a manganese metal center, was heterogenized on six different carbon materials. The results disclosed the influence of several reaction parameters, such as catalyst loading, temperature, reaction time and solvent, on the catalytic activity and selectivity of the homogeneous and carbon-supported catalysts. Recyclability of the carbon-supported catalyst allowed facile separations, recovery and reuse for five consecutive cycles.