Metalloporphyrin catalytic oxidations of hydrocarbons by H2O2

The metalloporphyrin catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons using dilute hydrogen peroxide as oxygen donor with a two-phase system in the presence of an excess of benzoic acid is studied. Porphyrins derived from meso-tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrin and bearing sulfonamide substituents at beta or meso positions and halogens at beta positions were used. The system allowed for very efficient catalytic epoxidations and hydroxylations of hydrocarbons. It is proved that the excess of benzoic acid is critical to the catalyst efficiency and stability. The role of the lipophilic acid in this system is discussed. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.