Cataliticoxidation of benzyl alcohol by Cu(II) polypyridyl complexes

Two polypyridyl copper(II) complexes, [Cu(phen)(phen-dione)Cl]Cl (1) and [Cu(bpy) (phen-dione)Cl]Cl (2), (where Phen =1,10-phenanthroline, bpy =2,2 -bipyridine and Phen-dione = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione), were used as efficient catalysts for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. The effects of various parameters such as reaction temperature, reaction time, etc. were studied. The catalysts were stable at the operation conditions and recyclable. The conversion percentage for complex 1 was higher than the complex 2.