Abstract: The selective oxidation of phenylethane with air catalyzed byμ-oxobismanganese porphyrins was studied . It is shown that the main products are hypnone and α-phenylethanol . The selectivity of products at alpha position is 100 ％. With by extending the reaction, the amount byproduct increase , the selectivity at α-phenylethanol descends and that of hypnone slightly increases, but the total selectivity decrease. With the temperature raising, the yield of hypnone and α-phenylethanol relevantly increase, but their selectivity descends. A 3h induction period appeared when the solvent was benzene and chlorobenzol, and they have no influence on the yield of the products;No induction period was obseves when the solvent was butanone and cyclohexanone, and it makes the yield of products increase .

Key words: Metalloporphyrin, Catalysis, Oxidation, Phenylethane, Air