Method for the oxidation of unsaturated organic compounds

A one-pot method for providing a carboxylic acid or a ketone-containing compound, the method comprising:

• contacting an alkene or an alkyne with a catalytic oxidation system to form a reaction mixture, wherein the catalytic oxidation system comprises:
• (i) hydrogen peroxide,
• (ii) a manganese transition metal catalyst having a ligand of formula (I):
• R is independently selected from the group consisting of:
• hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl, CH3CH2OH, CH3COOH, and pyridin-2-ylmethyl, and optionally one of R is linked to the N of another Q from another ring via an ethylene or propylene bridge;
• R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of:
• H, C1-C4-alkyl, and C1-C4-alkylhydroxy;
• (iii) a carboxylic acid, carboxylate salt or mixture thereof;
• or ascorbic acid, or a salt or ester thereof, or mixture thereof;
• and
• wherein the molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide to the alkene or the alkyne is from 20:1 to 1:1, and the manganese transition metal catalyst is present in a range from 0.0001 to 5 mol % with respect to the alkene or the alkyne;
• and
• forming a second carboxylic acid or a ketone-containing compound.