Homogeneous oxidation of aromatics in nucleus with peracetic acid catalyzed by iron and manganese phthalocyanine complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)00079-2

The reaction of naphthalene and methylnaphthalenes with peracetic acid catalyzed by Mn(III) (1) or Fe(II) (2) octanitrophthalocyanines in CH₃CN at 20°C produces 1,4-naphthoquinones with 35-62% yields. The corresponding 2,3-epoxide-1,4-endoperoxides are proposed as intermediate in reaction catalyzed by 1.