Catalytic oxidation of tetrahydrofuran in the presence of 14-membered hexaaza macrocyclic copper (II) complexes with hydrogenperoxide

Copper (II) Complexes of the 14-membered hexaaza-macrocycles; 1, 8-dimethyl-; 1, 8-diethyl-; 1, 8-dipropyl-; 1, 8-dibutyl(iso)-; 1, 8-dibutyl(sec) - and 1, 8-dibenzyl- 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13-hexaazacyclotetra decane ([Cu{R-2[14]aneN(6)}](ClO4)(2)) catalysed efficiently the selective oxidation of tetrahydroforan into the corresponding gamma-butyrolactone and a small amount of tetra hydrofuran-2-of and 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde, using dil. H2O2 as the oxidant. The conversion of this catalytic oxidation process can reach 98.6% when [Cu{(Benzyl)(2) [14] and N-6)}](ClO4)(2) is used.