Azide activation of metallophthalocyanine complexes for the catalytic oxidation of alkanes in the liquid phase

Earlier work in our laboratories has shown that light alkanes can be air-oxidized using metalloporphyrin azides as catalysts. Phthalocyanine complexes are known to be more robust materials and cobalt phthalocyanine catalysts are used for mercaptan oxidations in the petroleum industry. Phthalocyanine complexes, however, are not very hydrocarbon soluble nor very active for low-temperature alkane oxidation. We report that chromium and manganese phthalocyanine azides catalyze selective oxidation of isobutane to tert -butyl alcohol and that iron perfluorophthalocyanine azides are robust, soluble, active catalysts for the selective oxidation of isobutane and propane under mild conditions of temperature and pressure.