Is the Bis(-oxo)dicopper Core Capable of Hydroxylating an Arene?

Direct attack of the bis(μ-oxo)dicopper core on an arene appears feasible in tyrosinase and model complexes on the basis of studies of new [Cu(III) 2 (μ-O)2 ](2+) compounds supported by bidentate imine/amine ligands. In the first demonstration of such reactivity for a bis(μ-oxo)dicopper core, decomposition of these intermediates caused hydroxylation of a pendant phenyl ring [Eq. (a)] in a reaction analogous to that catalyzed by tyrosinase.