Site-selective methylene C–H oxidation of an alkyl diamine enabled by supramolecular recognition using a bioinspired manganese catalyst

A manganese catalyst equipped with 18-benzo-6-crown ether receptors has been employed in the catalytic oxidation of tetradecane-1,14-diamine. Binding of the protonated amines results in selective (up to 92%) oxidation of the C6/C7 methylenic sites.