Transition metal complexes used as bleach catalysts of the formula (1) M(L)nXm  (1) where M is a metal atom from the group Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, W, L is a ligand of the formula R1R2C═N—O(H)z R1 is C1-C22-alkyl, C2-C22-alkenyl or C5-C24-aryl, R2 is H, C1-C22-alkyl, C2-C22-alkenyl, C5-C24-aryl or where z=0 or 1, X is a neutral or anion ligand from the group consisting of pyridines, imidazolines, methylimidazoles, picolines, lutidines, chloride, bromide, nitrate, perchlorate, citrate, hexafluorophosphate or anions of organic acids having C1-C22 carbon atoms, n is a number from 2 to 4 and m is a number from 0 to 4.