Proton-assisted activation of a MnIII–OOH for aromatic C–H hydroxylation through a putative [MnV＝O] species.

Adding HClO4 to [(BnTPEN)MnIII–OO]+ in MeOH generates a short-lived MnIII–OOH species, which converts to a putative MnV＝O species. The potent MnV＝O species in MeCN oxidizes the pendant phenyl ring of the ligand in an intramolecular fashion. The addition of benzene causes the formation of (BnTPEN)MnIII-phenolate. These findings suggest that high valent Mn species have the potential to catalyze challenging aromatic hydroxylation reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]