Abstract: Highly reactive, stable tetramanganese-oxo cubane complexes, their synthesis and their use as a functional catalyst for in vitro O2 production. Preferred complexes are i) a tetramanganese-oxo cubane complex having the formula L6Mn4O4, wherein Mn4O4, is a cubane core and L6 are six facially-capping bidentate ligands bridging between the Mn atoms; ii) a manganese-oxo-pyramid complex having the formula L6Mn4O3, wherein Mn4O3, is a pyramidal core and L6 are six bidentate ligands bridging between the Mn atoms; and iii) a manganese-oxo-butterfly complex having the formula L6Mn4O2 or L5Mn4O2, wherein Mn4O2, is a butterfly core and L6 or L5 are six or five bidentate ligands bridging between the Mn atoms. Preferred ligands are carboxylate, phosphinate or diphenylphosphinate ligands. These catalysts may be used for the oxidation of water to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide and may also be used to catalyze the oxidation of chloride and simple chloride compounds to chlorine gas.

Abstract: Highly reactive, stable tetramanganese-oxo cubane complexes, their synthesis and their use as a functional catalyst for in vitro O2 production. Preferred complexes are i) a tetramanganese-oxo cubane complex having the formula L6Mn4O4, wherein Mn4O4, is a cubane core and L6 are six facially-capping bidentate ligands bridging between the Mn atoms; ii) a manganese-oxo-pyramid complex having the formula L6Mn4O3, wherein Mn4O3, is a pyramidal core and L6 are six bidentate ligands bridging between the Mn atoms; and iii) a manganese-oxo-butterfly complex having the formula L6Mn4O2 or L5Mn4O2, wherein Mn4O2, is a butterfly core and L6or L5 are six or five bidentate ligands bridging between the Mn atoms. Preferred ligands are carboxylate, phosphinate or diphenylphosphinate ligands. These catalysts may be used for the oxidation of water to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide and may also be used to catalyze the oxidation of chloride and simple chloride compounds to chlorine gas.