Aliphatic C–H hydroxylation activity and durability of a nickel complex catalyst according to the molecular structure of the bis(oxazoline) ligands.

• Bis(oxazoline) complexes of nickel catalyze alkane hydroxylation with m-CPBA. • Structure of bis(oxazoline) ligands influences the catalytic performance. • Durability of catalysts toward O 2 depends on the structure of the bis(oxazoline) ligands. Applicability of the oxazoline-based compounds, bis(2-oxazolynyl)methane (BOX) and 2,6-bis(2-oxazolynyl)pyridine (PyBOX), as supporting ligands of nickel(II) complexes for the catalysis of aliphatic C H hydroxylation with m -CPBA (meta -chloroperoxybenzoic acid) was explored. Substituent groups at the fourth and fifth positions of oxazoline rings and the bridgehead carbon atom of the BOX derivatives affected the catalytic performances toward cyclohexane hydroxylation. Presence of dioxygen led to a reduced catalytic performance of the nickel complexes, except in the case of a fully substituted BOX ligand complex. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]