Influence of substituents in meso-aryl groups of iron μ-oxo porphyrins on their catalytic activity in the oxidation of cycloalkanes

Fe porphyrins and their μ-oxo analogues active in oxidation of cycloalkanes by O2. Both electron-withdrawing and -donating substituents improve catalytic activity. Electron-withdrawing substituents facilitate the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) and electron-donating substituents facilitate electron transport from Fe to cycloalkane. Iron μ-oxo complexes are less active than their monomeric analogues.