Abstract: A novel biomimetic catalyst of complex Cu(p-OTs)₂/ ethanolamine(1∶1) was used to oxidize 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol into xanthene derivatives with a relative high yield in a mixed solvents of dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) and CH₃OH.The studies on the effect of some solvents on the yield of xanthene derivatives indicates that the yield reduces dramatically with the increase of the content of H₂O in the mixed solvents of H₂O and DMSO.No product can be obtained when the content of H₂O is up to 70%.The cyclic voltammetric study demonstrated that the copper ion in complex Cu(p-OTs)₂/ethanolamine(1∶1) is reduced via a two-step one-electron reduction process from Cu(Ⅱ) to Cu in the mixture of DMSO and H₂O.Water as a poor solvent in respect to the reactants probably hampered the coordination of 1,1′-bi-2-naphthol to copper/amine complex and led to the insufficient catalytic efficiency of complex Cu(p-OTs)₂/ethanolamine(1∶1).

Key words: Copper p-toluenesulfonate, Mimetic enzyme, Xanthene, Electrochemistry