Metallo-deuteroporphyrin as a novel catalyst for p-xylene oxidation using molecular oxygen

The liquid phase oxidation of p-xylene with air as oxygen source catalyzed by metallo-deuteroporphyins [M(DPDME)], where M = Fe(III)Cl, Co(II), or Mn(III)Cl, were carried out in the absence of additives and solvents. Oxidation of p-xylene by M(DPDME) resulted in the formation of p-methylbenzaldehyde, p-methylbenzyl alcohol and p-methylbenzoic acid as major products. The complexed metals have an important effect on the activities of these metallo complexes and the distribution of the products. The oxidation reaction initiated by M(DPDME) was deemed to undergo a different path from metallo-tetraphenylporphyrins, and most of M(DPDME) may convert to μ-oxo dimmer as the active intermediate during the oxidation of p-xylene.