Abstract

Two new Fe(III)(salen) complexes, FeL1ClO4·2H2O (1) and FeL2ClO4 (2) [L1 = N,N′-ethylenebis(3-formyl-5-methylsalicylaldimine) and L2 = N,N′-cyclohexenebis(3-formyl-5-methylsalicylaldimine)], have been synthesized and characterized. The catalytic activity of the complexes for epoxidation of alkenes has been investigated in the presence of two terminal oxidants PhIO and NaOCl, with two solvents CH3CN and CH2Cl2. As alkenes styrene and (E)-stilbene have been chosen for investigation; styrene is a better substrate than electron-rich (E)-stilbene. The study also suggests that unlike their Mn(III) counterparts, 1 and 2 are poor epoxidation catalysts; catalysis proceeds with formation of one intermediate, rather than forming more than one intermediate depending on the terminal oxidant used. Use of exogenous neutral donor ligands such as Py, PyNO and 1-MePy is effective to improve catalytic behavior.

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