Abstract: Use, as a catalyst for oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen and/or air, of at least one metal complex compound of formula (1) wherein Me is manganese, titanium, iron, cobalt, nickel or copper, X is a coordinating or bridging radical, n and m are each independently of the other an integer having a value of from 1 to 8, p is an integer having a value of from 0 to 32, z is the charge of the metal complex, Y is a counter-ion, q=z/(charge of Y), and L is a ligand of formula (2) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 are each independently of the others hydrogen; unsubstituted or substituted C1-C18alkyl or aryl; cyano; halogen; nitro; —COOR12 or —SO3R12 wherein R12 is in each case hydrogen, a cation or unsubstituted or substituted C1-C18alkyl or aryl; —SR13, —SO2R13 or —OR13 wherein R13 is in each case hydrogen or unsubstituted or substituted C1-C18alkyl or aryl; —NR14R15; —(C1-C6alkylene)-NR14R15; —N(+)R14R15R16; —(C1-C6alkylene)-N(+)R14R15R16; —N(R13)—(C1-C6alkylene)-NR14R15; —N[(C1-C6alkyl