Use of metal complex compounds of formula
[L.sub.nMe.sub.mX.sub.p].sup.zY.sub.q (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 Y), andL is a ligand of formula
##STR00001##
wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7,
R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10 and R.sub.11 are each independently of the
others hydrogen; unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.18alkyl or
aryl; cyano; halogen; nitro; --COOR.sub.12 or --SO.sub.3R.sub.12 wherein
R.sub.12 is in each case hydrogen, a cation or unsubstituted or
substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.18alkyl or aryl; --SR.sub.13,
--SO.sub.2R.sub.13 or --OR.sub.13 wherein R.sub.13 is in each case
hydrogen or unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.18alkyl or aryl;
--N(R.sub.13)--NR'.sub.13R''.sub.13 wherein R.sub.13, R'.sub.13 and
R''.sub.13 are as defined above for R.sub.13; --NR.sub.14R.sub.15 or
--N.sup..sym.R.sub.14R.sub.15R.sub.16 wherein R.sub.14, R.sub.15 and
R.sub.16 are each independently of the other(s) hydrogen or unsubstituted
or substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.18alkyl or aryl, or R.sub.14 and R.sub.15
together with the nitrogen atom bonding them form an unsubstituted or
substituted 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring which may optionally contain
further hetero atoms;with the proviso that R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3,
R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10 and
R.sub.11 are not simultaneously hydrogen, as catalysts for oxidation
reactions,and the novel metal complex compounds of formula (1) and the
novel ligands of formula (2).
