The use of compounds 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 from the group of nitrogen-containing heterocycles, X is chloride, bromide, nitrate, perchlorate, sulfate, ammonia, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate or an anion of an organic acid having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, n is a number from 2 to 4 and m is a number from 0 to 4, as catalyst for peroxygen compounds, in particular in washing, bleaching and cleaning compositions is claimed.