C12B2Cu2F8H32S4O7 : A Versatile Redox Catalyst Isolated from Autoxidized Cu(CH3CN)4BF4 in Dimethylsulfoxide

Abstract

The autoxidation product of Cu(CH3CN)4BF4 in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) could be isolated as solid Cu2(O)(DMSO)4(dioxane)(BF4)2, C12B2Cu2F8H32S4O7. The catalytic activity of this product on the oxidation of 2,6-dimethylphenol (1), benzoin (2), and 3,5-di-t-butylcatechol (3) by molecular oxygen was studied. As oxidation products poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) (1a), benzil (2a), and 3,5-di-t-butyl-o-benzoquinone (3a) were isolated in good yields.