Investigation of 3d-transition metal acetates in the oxidation of substituted dioxolene and phenols

•MnII, FeII, CoII, NiII, CuII acetates probed for dioxolene and aminophenol oxidation.•Mn acetate most active in oxidation of dioxolene and formation of 2-aminophenoxazinone from 2-aminophenol.•Mechanistic studies show that the substrate might also act as ligand to form the active catalytic species.•The reactive oxygen species involved in the oxidation is mostly peroxide and hydroxyl radical