Polymer- and Silica-Supported Iron BPMEN-Inspired Catalysts for CH Bond Functionalization Reactions†

Direct catalytic CH bond functionalization is a key challenge in synthetic chemistry, with many popular CH activation methodologies involving precious-metal catalysts. In recent years, iron catalysts have emerged as a possible alternative to the more common precious-metal catalysts, owing to its high abundance, low cost, and low toxicity. However, iron catalysts are plagued by two key factors: the ligand cost and the low turnover numbers (TONs) typically achieved. In this work, two approaches are presented to functionalize the popular N1,N2-dimethyl-N1,N2-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (BPMEN) ligand, so that it can be supported on porous silica or polymer resin supports. Four new catalysts are prepared and evaluated in an array of catalytic CH functionalization reactions by using cyclohexane, cyclohexene, cyclooctane, adamantane, benzyl alcohol, and cumene with aqueous hydrogen peroxide. Catalyst recovery and recycling is demonstrated by using supported catalysts, which allows for a modest increase in the TON achieved with these catalysts.