Cis‐Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with unsymmetric linear tetradentate ligands: syntheses, structures and bromoperoxidase activities

Abstract

Reactions of [MoO2(acetylacetonate)2], 2‐((2‐(2‐hydroxyethylamino)ethylamino)methyl)‐4‐R‐phenols (H2Ln, n = 1–5 for R = H, Me, OMe, Cl and Br, respectively) and KOH in 1:1:2 mole ratio in methanol afford a series of complexes having the general formula cis‐[MoO2(Ln)] (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) in 81–86% yields. The complexes have been characterized using elemental analysis, spectroscopy (infrared, UV–visible, and 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 13C‐DEPT NMR) and electrochemical measurements. The molecular structures of 1, 2, 3, 4 have been determined using single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. In each of 1, 2, 3, 4, the ONNO‐donor 6,5,5‐membered fused chelate rings forming (Ln)2− and the two mutually cis oxo groups assemble a distorted octahedral N2O4 coordination sphere around the metal centre. In the crystal lattice, each of 1, 2, 3, 4 forms a one‐dimensional infinite chain structure via intermolecular NH⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonding interactions. In cyclic voltammograms, the diamagnetic complexes display an irreversible metal‐centred reduction in the potential range −0.73 to −0.88 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The physicochemical data are consistent with a very similar gross molecular structure for all of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. All the complexes exhibit decent bromoperoxidase activities and are also able to effectively catalyse benzoin and methyl(phenyl)sulfide oxidation reactions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.