Mixed (Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺) double metal hexacyanocobaltates as solid catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of oximes to carbonyl compounds

Mixed Iron and copper hexacyanocolbatate was found to be a suitable heterogeneous and recoverable catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of oximes to the corresponding ketone. The reaction can be conveniently carried out in water-ethanol 1-1 mixture as solvent. The tinme-conversion plots shows the presence of an induction period that do not correspond to the leaching of metal ions or to the damage of the crystal structure of the material. The proposed reaction mechanism is based on the cooperation of the Lewis acidity of iron with the ability of copper to interact with oxygen. Given the remarkable stability of metal hexacyanocobaltates and the large diversity of metals that can contain, our reports opens the way for the general use of these affordable and accessible solids as heterogeneous catalysts.