Chemoselective methylene hydroxylation in aromatic molecules

A manganese complex of Formula I:

• or a salt thereof;
• wherein
• L1 and L2 are each independently halo or a ligand;
• each G1 and each G2 is independently halo, —(C1-C6)alkyl, —O(C1-C6)alkyl, or —C(═O)O(C1-C6)alkyl, wherein the (C1-C6)alkyl moiety of —(C1-C6)alkyl, —O(C1-C6)alkyl and —C(═O)O(C1-C6)alkyl are optionally substituted with one or more halo groups;
• x and y are each independently 1-5;
• G3 and G4 are independently H, halo, —(C1-C6)alkyl, —O(C1-C6)alkyl, —C(═O)O(C1-C6)alkyl, —NO2, —CN, —CF3, —CF2CH3, —CF2CF3, or —NRaRb wherein Ra and Rb are independently H, or —(C1-C6)alkyl;
• R1 and R8 are each independently —(C1-C6)alkylene;
• and
• R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are each independently H or —(C1-C6)alkyl;
• or
• R2 and R3 taken together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are attached form a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle;
• R4 and R5 are each independently H or (C1-C6)alkyl;
• and
• R6 and R7 taken together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are attached form a 5- or 6-membered heterocycle;
• wherein each —(C1-C6)alkyl is unbranched or optionally branched.