Well-defined Bis(imino)pyridine-Manganese(II) Complexes for Oxidation of Benzylic C-H Bonds

Two new manganese(II) complexes bearing bis(imino)pyridine pincer ligands have been synthesized. These manganese(II) complexes were characterized by UV, IR, elemental analysis studies, and X-ray crystallography. The X-ray crystal data of manganese complexes revealed distorted trigonalbipyramidal geometries around the manganese ion and neutral tridentate N∧N∧N coordination mode for bis(imino)pyridine (BIP) ligand. The catalytic properties of manganese(II) complexes were explored for the catalytic oxidation of the benzylic C-H bonds using TBHP as an oxidant. The corresponding carbonyl compounds have been produced in moderate to excellent yields.