Water as an oxygen source: Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity studies of a mononuclear nonheme manganese(IV) oxo complex

The source of the problem: Experiments with isotopically labeled water can be used to unambiguously assign the source of oxygen in a nonheme manganese(IV) oxo complex. The complex, which was generated using water as an oxygen source and cerium(IV) as an oxidant (see picture), shows reactivities in the activation of C-H bonds of alkyl-functionalized aromatic molecules and the oxidation of aromatic substrates (sub) and benzyl alcohol.