Cobalt(II) Schiff base catalyzed biomimetic oxidation of organic substrates with dioxygen

Cobalt(II) Schiff base complexes 1, 2 and 3 catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of organic substrates in the presence of carbonyl compounds and dioxygen. EPR studies on 1 indicate that these reactions are proceeding via a cobalt(III)-superoxo complex formed under the aegis of carbonyl compounds and dioxygen. Catalysts 1-3 exhibit diverse reactivity profile and this has been attributed to the nature of ligand around cobalt which causes the formation of different active species from dioxygen.