'Old' Clusters with New Function: Oxidation Catalysis by High Oxidation State Manganese and Cerium/Manganese Clusters Using O2 Gas

The family of polynudear manganese clusters of formula [Mn12O12(O2CR)(16)(H2O)(4)] (R = Et, Ph, etc.) has been investigated in great detail over the years for their ability to function as single-molecule magnets (SMMs), but they have not been employed as oxidation catalysts. In the present report, the ability is described of these clusters to act as catalysts in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using molecular O-2 as the primary oxidant and the nitroxyl radical TEMPO as a cocatalyst. A systematic investigation of Mn clusters varied in their R group, oxidation state, and size was conducted in order to realize the electronic requirements that will lead to the best catalytic activity. The best reactivity (>99%) was obtained when the catalyst was the mixed-metal cluster [CeMn6O9(O2CMe)(9)(NO3)(H2O)(2)], which contains Ce4+Mn64+ ions; in this case, lower loadings of catalysts (cluster and TEMPO) are required and the reaction can proceed even without a solvent. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the high efficiency can be only achieved when both high oxidation Ce4+ and Mn4+ ions are present within the same cluster.