Metal complex catalysts

摘要

Hydroperoxides are catalytically decomposed using a novel metal complex of the formula: wherein M is a positively charged metal or metal compound; Z is S, O, P, S-P, or S-S; L is C, P, or N; and A is selected from the group consisting of halogens; hydrogen; N-R wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-30 alkyls and 4 to 8 membered aryls optionally substituted with one or more C1-20 alkyls and C1-20 alkoxys; and hydrocarbon groups containing up to 30 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atoms, C1-12 hydroxy groups, C1-12 acid groups, C1-12 aldehyde groups, C1-12 ketone groups, and C1-10 nitrile groups; and wherein n is 1 or 2; and b is 1, 2 or 3. These catalysts are especially effective in decomposing either cumene hydroperoxide or cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide to phenol.