Towards epoxidation catalysts for fluorous biphase systems: Synthesis and properties of two Mn(III)-tetraarylporphyrins bearing perfluoroalkylamido tails

wo new Mn(III)-tetraarylporphyrins Mn-1 and Mn-2 bearing one amido-bonded n-C7F15 chain on each meso-aryl group have been synthesized. The presence of four perfluoroalkyl tails strongly influences the solubility of these compounds in common organic solvents, but it is not sufficient to impart solubility in fluorocarbons. The catalytic activity of the new complexes was tested in alkene epoxidations employing aqueous NaOCl as oxygen donor. Results show that Mn-2 is more active than Mn(III)-5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphyrin, one of the most efficient porphyrinic catalysts for hydrocarbon oxygenation.