A series of diiron(III) complexes of 1,3-bis(2'-arylimino)isoindoline, [(Fe(L)Cl)(2)O] and 1,4-di-(2'-aryl)aminophthalazine, [Fe-2(mu-OMe)(2)(H2L)Cl-4], including new structurally characterized ligands, 1,4-di-(4'-methyl-2'-thiazolyl)aminophthalazine and 1,4-di-(2'-benzthiazolyl)-aminophthalazine, have been characterized, and used as catalysts for the oxidation of para-substituted phenyl methyl sulfides and benzyl alcohols. Hammett correlations and kinetic isotope effect experiments support the involvement of electrophilic metal-based oxidants. In case of [(Fe(L-1,L-2)Cl)(2)O] catalysts, direct correlation has been found between the oxidative and catalase-like activity. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.