Catalytic Oxidation of Tetrahydrofuran in the Presence of 14-Membered Hexaaza Macrocyclic Copper (II) Complexes with Hydrogenperoxide

Copper (II) Complexes of the 14-membered hexaaza-macrocycles; 1, 8-dimethyl-; 1, 8-diethyl-; 1, 8-dipropyl-; 1, 8-dibutyl iso -; 1, 8-dibutyl sec - and 1, 8-dibenzyl- 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13-hexaazacyclotetra decane ([Cu{R 2 [14]aneN 6 }](ClO 4 ) 2 ) catalysed efficiently the selective oxidation of tetrahydroforan into the corresponding γ-butyrolactone and a small amount of tetrahydrofuran-2-ol and 4-hydroxybutyraldehyde, using dil. H 2 O 2 as the oxidant. The conversion of this catalytic oxidation process can reach 98.6% when [Cu{(Benzyl) 2 [14] ane N 6 }](ClO 4 ) 2 is used.