Biomimetic oxidations using transition metal complexes encapsulated in zeolites

An account of biomimetic oxidations by metal phthalocyanines, tri- and tetra-aza macrocycles, Schiff bases (salen and saloph), dimeric Cu-acetate and Co-Mn-acetate complexes encapsulated in zeolite-Y and molecular sieves is reported. The selective oxidation reactions investigated include epoxidation of styrene, hydroxylation of phenol, oxidation of p-xylene to terephthalic acid, ethylbenzene to acetophenone and cyclohexane, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone to adipic acid. In all these reactions, the encapsulated metal complexes exhibit enhanced activity or selectivity compared to the "neat" complexes. The reasons for the enhanced activity of metal complexes upon encapsulation in zeolites are reported