Synthesis,characterization and catalytic behaviors of neutral nickel complexes: Arylnickel N-alkyl-6-(1-(arylimino)ethyl)picolinamide

A series of novel neutral nickel complexes, aryl (phenyl or naphthyl) nickel N-alkyl-6-(1-(arylimino)ethyl)picolinamides, were synthesized and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of the complexes C2, C3 and C7 reveal distorted square-planar geometry along with the molecular structure of one free ligand L1. On activation with diethylaluminum chloride (Et₂AlCl), the nickel complexes exhibited moderate catalytic activities for ethylene oligomerization, and the catalytic activity was up to 2.45 × 10⁵ g mol^?1(Ni) h^?1 in the presence of 1 equiv. PPh₃. Moreover, these complexes also exhibit moderate activities for Kumada–Corriu reaction and polymerization of methyl methacrylate.     

Vibrational spectroscopic and thermal studies of some 3-phenylpropylamine complexes

Four new Hofmann–3-phenylpropylamine (3PPA) type complexes with chemical formulae M(3PPA)₂Ni(CN)₄ (M = Ni, Co, Cd, and Pd) have been prepared and their vibrational spectra are reported in the region of 4000–60 cm⁻¹. The vibrational bands arising from 3PPA ligand molecule, the polymeric sheet and metal–ligand bands of the compounds are assigned. The thermal behaviour of these complexes is also provided using the DTA and TGA along with the magnetic susceptibility data. The results indicate that the monodentate 3PPA ligand molecule bonds to the metal atom of |M–Ni(CN)₄|_∞ polymeric layers and hence the compounds are similar in structure to Hofmann-type complexes.     

Stereospecific polymerization of propylene with group 4 ansa-fluorenylamidodimethyl complexes

Group 4 [η¹:η³-tert-butyl(dimethylfluorenylsilyl)amido]dimethyl complexes [t-BuNSiMe₂Flu]MMe₂ (M = Ti, 1; Zr, 2; Hf, 3) were synthesized in a one-pot synthesis starting from the ligand, MeLi and MCl₄ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf), respectively. The structures of these complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography and the results obtained revealed that the fluorenyl ligand coordinates to center metal in a η³-manner irrespective of center metal employed. Propylene polymerization was conducted at 0 or 20 °C in toluene by 1–3 combined with dried methylaluminoxane (MAO), which was prepared from the toluene solutions of MAO by removing free trialkylaluminiums, and HNMe₂PhB(C₆F₅)₄ in the presence of triisobutylaluminium. The 1–dried MAO system gave the polymer with syndiotactic triad (rr) of 63% at 0 °C, whereas 2 and 3 did not give any polymer in the same conditions. The 2–dried MAO system gave the polymer with the highest syndiotacticity (rr = 97%) at 20 °C, although the activity was low. The 3–dried MAO system did not give any polymer even at 20 °C. When HNMe₂PhB(C₆F₅)₄ was used in place of dried MAO at 20 °C, 1 gave almost atactic polymer, while 2 and 3 gave highly syndiotactic one (rr > 90%). These results indicate that the catalytic performance strongly depended on the center metal of the ansa-fluorenylamidodimethyl complexes as well as cocatalysts employed.     

Novel metal-based pharmacologically dynamic agents of transition metal(II) complexes: Designing,synthesis, structural elucidation,DNA binding and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity

Novel Schiff base Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been designed and synthesized using the macrocyclic ligand derived from the condensation of diethylphthalate with Schiff base, obtained from benzene-1,2-diamine and 3-benzylidene-pentane-2,4-dione. The ligand and its complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectral techniques. DNA binding properties of these complexes have been investigated by UV–vis, viscosity measurements, cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse voltammogram studies. The intrinsic binding constants for Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes are 1.6 × 10⁶, 1.8 × 10⁶, 2.0 × 10⁶ and 1.5 × 10⁶ M^?1 respectively which are obtained from electronic absorption experiment. Control DNA cleavage experiments using pUC19 supercoiled (SC) DNA and minor groove binder (distamycin) suggest the major groove binding tendency for the synthesized complexes. In the presence of a reducing agent like 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), the synthesized complexes show chemical nuclease activity under dark reaction condition. The complexes also show efficient photo-induced DNA cleavage activity on irradiation with a monochromatic UV light of 360 nm in the presence of inhibitors. Control experiments show inhibition of cleavage in the presence of singlet oxygen quencher like sodium azide and enhancement of cleavage in D₂O, suggesting the formation of singlet oxygen as a reactive species in a type-II process.     

Synthesis and in vitro biology of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zinc(II) complexes of functionalized beta-diketone bearing energy buried potential antibacterial and antiviral O,O pharmacophore sites

The clinically active functionalized β-diketones 1-(2′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2″-substitutedphenyl)-propane-1,3-dione (L₁)–(L₂) have been synthesized from Baker–Venkataraman transformation of 2,4-diaroyloxyacetophenones. Their transition metal complexes (1)–(8) have been prepared and characterized by physical, spectral and analytical data. The functionalized beta-diketone potentially acts as bidentate ligand and co-ordinate with the transition metal atom through beta-diketo system. The complexes have general formula [ML₂] where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zinc(II) and L = ligand. The 1-(2′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(2″-substitutedphenyl)-propane-1,3-dione and their transition metal complexes have been screened for in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant bioassay. The biological activity data show that the transition metal complexes are more potent antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant agents than the parent functionalized beta-diketone against different bacterial and fungal species. This constitutes a new group of compounds that can be used as potential metal derived drugs. Ultimately, here we can prompt about the use of metals for the drugs. The metal complexes were also studied for their thermogravimetric analyses.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of new tetradentate Schiff base and its coordination compounds of NOON donor atoms and their antibacterial and antifungal activity

New Schiff base (H₂L) ligand is prepared via condensation of o-phthaldehyde and 2-aminobenzoic acid in 1:2 ratio. Metal complexes are prepared and characterized using elemental analyses, IR, solid reflectance, magnetic moment, molar conductance, ¹H NMR, ESR and thermal analysis (TGA). From the elemental analyses data, the complexes were proposed to have the general formulae [MCl(L)(H₂O)]·2H₂O (where M = Cr(III) and Fe(III)); [M(L)]·yH₂O (where M = Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), y = 1–2) and [M(L)(H₂O)_n]·yH₂O (where M = Co(II) (n = y = 2), Co(II) (n = y = 1), Ni(II) (n = 2, y = 1). The molar conductance data reveal that all the metal chelates were non-electrolytes. IR spectra show that H₂L is coordinated to the metal ions in a bi-negative tetradentate manner with NOON donor sites of the azomethine-N and carboxylate-O. The ¹H NMR spectral data indicate that the two carboxylate protons are also displaced during complexation. From the magnetic and solid reflectance spectra, it was found that the geometrical structure of these complexes are octahedral (Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II)), square planar (Cu(II)), trigonal bipyramidal (Co(II)) and tetrahedral (Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)). The thermal behaviour of these chelates showed that the hydrated complexes losses water molecules of hydration in the first step followed immediately by decomposition of the ligand molecule in the subsequent steps. The biological activity data show that the metal complexes to be more potent/antibacterial than the parent Shciff base ligand against one or more bacterial species.     

Phosphino-(α-sulfinylalkyl)phosphonium ylide complexes (Rh,Pd) with a configurationally stable asymmetric ylidic carbon

The synthesis and structure of Rh(I) and Pd(II) complexes of chiral P,C-chelating phosphino-(α-sulfinylalkyl)phosphonium ylide ligands with a trisubstituted asymmetric ylidic center P⁺–C1R(S1(O)p-Tol)–M (R = alkyl group) have been investigated, and compared to those of the analogous disubstituted ylide complexes (R = H). Reaction of the ethyl onium ylide of o-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene with (?)-menthyl-(S)-p-tolylsulfinate afforded the corresponding racemic erythro phosphino-(α-sulfinylethyl)phosphonium in 90% de (R = Me). The racemization process is interpreted by a Berry-like pseudorotation mechanism driven by the steric repulsion between the α-methyl substituent and the bulky menthyloxy S-substituent or sulfur lone pair in the intermediate ylide-sulfinyl adduct. The ylide of phosphino-(α-sulfinylethyl)phosphonium reacts with [Rh(cod)₂][PF₆] and PdCl₂(MeCN)₂ to afford the corresponding P,C1-chelated threo-Rh(I) and erythro-Pd(II) mononuclear complexes in 70% yield and total diastereoselectivity. These respective complexes act as efficient catalytic precursors for the hydrogenation of (Z)-α-acetamidocinnamic acid and allylic substitution of 3-acetoxy-1,3-diphenyl-1-propene with sodium dimethyl malonate. The bonding features of the erythro-Pd(II) complex exhibiting a sulfinyl O?Pd interaction are studied theoretically at the DFT level using ELF and MESP analyses. The η²-P,C haptomeric form of the ylide ligand is estimated to compete at 19% with the η¹-C haptomeric form dominating at 81%.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic studies and structures of square-planar nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes derived from 2-{(Z)-[furan-2-ylmethyl]imino]methyl}-6-methoxyphenol

Two new nickel(II) [Ni(L)₂] and copper(II) [Cu(L)₂] complexes have been synthesized with bidentate NO donor Schiff base ligand (2-{(Z)-[furan-2-ylmethyl]imino]methyl}-6-methoxyphenol) (HL) and both complexes Ni(L)₂ and Cu(L)₂ have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–vis, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, mass spectroscopy and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement. The tautomeric equilibria (phenol-imine, O–H?N and keto-amine, O?H–N forms) have been systemetically studied by using UV–vis absorption spectra for the ligand HL. The UV–vis spectra of this ligand HL were recorded and commented in polar, non-polar, acidic and basic media. The crystal structures of these complexes have also been determined by using X-ray crystallographic techniques. The complexes Ni(L)₂ and Cu(L)₂ crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n and P2₁/c with unit cell parameters: a = 10.4552(3) Å and 12.1667(4) Å, b = 8.0121(3) Å and 10.4792(3) Å, c = 13.9625(4) Å and 129.6616(3)Å, V = 1155.22(6) Å³ and 1155.22(6) Å³, D_x = 1.493 and 1.476 g cm^?3 and Z = 2 and 2, respectively. The crystal structures were solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least squares to a find R = 0.0377 and 0.0336 of for 2340 and 2402 observed reflections, respectively.     

Effects of N-heteroaromatic ligands on highly luminescent mononuclear copper(I)–halide complexes

A series of mononuclear Cu(I)–halide complexes, [CuX(PPh₃)₂(L)] (X = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻; PPh₃ = triphenylphosphine; L = pyridine (py), isoquinoline (iq), 1,6-naphthyridine (nap)), were synthesized. The emission color of [CuX(PPh₃)₂(L)] varies from blue to red by changing the L ligands and the halide ions, and all the complexes exhibit high emission quantum yields (0.16–0.99) in the crystals. The emission studies revealed that the emissive states of [CuX(PPh₃)₂(L)] differ depending on the L ligand. Complexes [CuX(PPh₃)₂(py)] and [CuX(PPh₃)₂(nap)] mainly emit from the singlet metal-to-ligand charge transfer mixed with the halide-to-ligand charge transfer (¹(M + X)LCT) state at room temperature. In contrast, emissions from [CuX(PPh₃)₂(iq)] at room temperature originate from both ³(M + X)LCT and ³ππ* states. These results indicate that N-heteroaromatic ligands play an important role in the emission properties of mononuclear Cu(I)–halide complexes.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of Ni(II), Cu(II) and μ-oxo-Fe(III) complexes of a salen type ligand: Mononuclear versus multinuclear complex formation

The nickel, copper and iron complexes of bis(salicylidene)-meso-1,2-diphenylethylendiaminato (mdpSal^2?) and their propensity to form multinuclear complexes similar to those observed for Co(mdpSal) are reported. The syntheses of the primary compounds were carried out with M(OAc)₂·xH₂O (M = Fe, Ni or Cu) and mdpSalH₂ in methanol. The Ni and Cu reactions resulted in the isolation of mononuclear Ni(mdpSal) (1) and Cu(mdpSal) (2) complexes. Both species 1 and 2 adopt approximate square planar geometries in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n and are iso-structural to the previously reported Co(mdpSal). Although structurally similar, neither 1 nor 2 exhibit comparable reactivity as reported for the cobalt analogue of mdpSal^?2 in forming multinuclear complexes. The iron reaction yielded a μ-oxo species [Fe(mdpSal)]₂O (3) in which each iron center is oxidized to +3 and ligated to one mdpSal^2? ligand frame with each iron center adopting distorted square pyramid geometry. In addition, Co(Salophen) (4) (SalophenH₂ = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine) has been synthesized and its reactivity assessed and compared to Co(mdpSal). Complexes 1–3 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography as well as UV–Vis and IR spectroscopy. A detailed comparison of the structural and spectral characteristics of the iso-structural complexes 1 and 2 with Co(mdpSal) are presented along with a discussion of factors that contributed to the unique reactivity observed for [Co(mdpSal)].     

Studies on Cu(II) ternary complexes involving an aminopenicillin drug and imidazole containing ligands

Equilibrium studies on the ternary complex systems involving ampicillin (amp) as ligand (A) and imidazole containing ligands viz., imidazole (Him), benzimidazole (Hbim), histamine (Hist) and histidine (His) as ligands (B) at 37 °C and I = 0.15 mol dm^?3 (NaClO₄) show the presence of CuABH, CuAB and CuAB₂. The proton in the CuABH species is attached to ligand A. In the ternary complexes the ligand, amp(A) binds the metal ion via amino nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen atom. The CuAB (B = Hist/His)/CuAB₂ (B = Him/Hbim) species have also been isolated and the analytical data confirmed its formation. Non-electrolytic behavior and monomeric type of chelates have been assessed from their low conductance and magnetic susceptibility values. The electronic and vibrational spectral results were interpreted to find the mode of binding of ligands to metal and geometry of the complexes. This is also supported by the g tensor values calculated from ESR spectra. The thermal behaviour of complexes were studied by TGA/DTA. The redox behavior of the complexes has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The antimicrobial activity and CT DNA cleavage study of the complexes show higher activity for ternary complexes.     

Carboxylic-supported copper complexes as catalyst for the green oxidative coupling of 2,6-dimethylphenol: Synthesis,characterization and structure

Three new Cu(II) complexes with carboxylic ligand, namely {[Cu(qc)₂(py)]·4H₂O}_∞ (1), [Cu(qc)₂(4,4′-bpy)]_∞ (2) and [Cu(pc)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]₂·H₂O (3) (Hqc = 3-hydroxy-2-quinoxalinecarboxylic acid, H₂pc = 4-hydroxyphthalic acid, py = pyrazine) have been synthesized and characterized. In both 1 and 2, each Cu(II) ion is coordinated by two quinoxalinecarboxylate moieties in the equatorial plane and two 4,4′-bpy or pyrazine units provide coordination in the axial positions, thus, resulting in a 1-D polymeric chain structure. Complex 3 has a dimeric structure in which two Cu(II) cations are bridged by two deprotonated pc^2? ligands and two 2,2′-bpy molecules. As heterogeneous catalysts, the title complexes showed high catalytic efficiency in the green oxidative polymerization of 2,6-dimethylphenol (DMP) to poly(1,4-phenylene ether) (PPE) in the presence of H₂O₂ as oxidant in water under mild conditions. Moreover, they allow reuse without significant loss of activity through four runs, which suggests that these catalysts are efficient, mild, and easily recyclable for the oxidative coupling of DMP. The preliminary study of the catalytic–structural correlations suggests that the coordination environment of the metal center plays an important role in the improvement of their catalytic efficiencies.     

Metal complexes of gliclazide: Preparation,spectroscopic and thermal characterization. Biological potential study of sulphonylurea gliclazide on the house fly,Musca domestica (Diptera – Muscidae)

Metal complexes of gliclazide (GLZ; HL) drug are prepared and characterized based on elemental analyses, IR, diffused reflectance, magnetic moment, molar conductance and thermal analyses (TG and DTG) technique. From the elemental analyses data, the complexes are proposed to have the general formulae [M(HL)Cl₃(H₂O)]·3H₂O (M = Cr(III) and Fe(III)), [M(HL)Cl₂(H₂O)₂]·yH₂O (M = Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II), y = 0–2) and [M(HL)Cl₂]·yH₂O (M = Mn(II) and Zn(II), y = 0–1). The molar conductance data reveal that all the metal chelates are non-electrolytes. IR spectra show that GLZ is coordinated to the metal ions in a neutral bidentate manner with ON donor sites of the amide-O and sulphonamide-OH. From the magnetic and solid reflectance spectra, it is found that the geometrical structures of these complexes are octahedral (Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II)) and tetrahedral (Mn(II) and Zn(II)). The thermal behaviour of these chelates is studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TG and DTG) techniques. The results obtained show that the hydrated complexes lose water molecules of hydration followed immediately by decomposition of the anions and ligand molecules in the successive unseparate steps. The activation thermodynamic parameters are calculated using Coats–Redfern method. The GLZ drug, in comparison to its metal complexes also is screened for their biological activity against house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera – Muscidae). Dose of 5 μg/insect of gliclazide is typically applied against 3 days-old larval instar of M. domestica. Survival of pupal and adult stages has been affected by the complexes of gliclazide more than larval instars. Morphogenic abnormalities of larvae, pupae and adults are studied. On the other hand, pupation and adult emergence program is deteriorated by the effect of different chemicals.     

Mixed-ligand complexes of copper(I) with diimines and phosphines: Effective catalysts for the coupling of phenylacetylene with halobenzene

New copper(I) mixed-ligand complexes 1–4 of the formula Cu(N–N)PR₃X, where N–N = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (5,5′dimbpy) and PR₃ = tricyclohexylphosphine, tris(2-cyanoethyl)phosphine and isopropyldiphenylphosphine, have been synthesized. The complexes were characterized by EA, IR, NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The solution fluorescence emission spectra were measured. The single crystal X-ray analysis showed that the copper(I) ion is four-coordinate with a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The complexes catalyze the formation of diphenylacetylene from the coupling of halobenzene with phenylacetylene. The complex Cu(5,5′-dimethylbpy)P{(cyhexyl)₃}I showed the highest catalytic activity. At room temperature all four complexes exhibit, in dichloromethane, emission maxima in the 329–344 nm range, corresponding to intra-ligand excited states.     

DFT study of group 8 catalysts for the hydrophenylation of ethylene: Influence of ancillary ligands and metal identity

Computational methods are used to investigate catalytic hydrophenylation of ethylene using complexes of the type [(Y)M(L)(CH₃)(NCMe)]ⁿ⁺ [Y = Mp, n = 1; Y = Tp, n = 0; M = Ru or Os; L = PMe₃, PF₃, or CO; Mp = tris(pyrazolyl)methane; Tp = hydrido-tris(pyrazolyl)borate]. The conversion of ethylene and benzene to ethylbenzene with [(Y)M(L)(Ph)]ⁿ⁺ as catalyst involves four steps: (1) ethylene coordination, (2) ethylene insertion into the M–Ph bond, (3) benzene coordination, and (4) benzene C–H activation. DFT calculations form the basis to compare stoichiometric benzene C–H activation by [(Y)M(L)(CH₃)(NCMe)]ⁿ⁺ complexes to yield methane and [(Y)M(L)(Ph)(NCMe)]ⁿ⁺. In addition, starting from the 16-electron species [(Y)M(L)(Ph)]ⁿ⁺, potential energy surfaces for the formation of ethylbenzene are calculated to reveal the impact of modifications to the scorpionate ligand (Mp or Tp), co-ligand (L) and metal center (M).     

Synthesis,characterization and biological properties of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with an SNO functionalized ligand

Some new metal(II) complexes, ML₂[M = Co, Ni, Cu and Zn], of 2-acetylthiophene benzoylhydrazone ligand (HL) containing a trifunctional SNO-donor system have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of physicochemical data by elemental analysis, magnetic moment, molar conductance, thermogravimetric and spectroscopic (electronic, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) data. The ligand functions as monobasic SNO tridentates where the deprotonated enolic form is preferred in the coordination producing distorted octahedral complexes.     

Effects of heat treatment on physicochemical properties of cerium based nickel system

Cerium based nickel catalysts synthesized by impregnation method have been characterized by XRD and TEM techniques. These catalysts can be described as a mixture of nickel oxide and ceria modified by the insertion of a part of nickel in the ceria lattice. The surface and catalytic properties of Ni/Ce mixed oxide solids were determined by nitrogen adsorption at 77 K and catalytic conversion of isopropanol at different temperatures.The results revealed that the heat treatment brought about different modifications in the structural, morphological, surface and catalytic properties of the as synthesized catalysts. From the characterization of the as prepared catalysts, it was concluded that the as prepared catalysts contain highly dispersed NiO, well crystalline NiO and CeO₂ and also Ni–Ce–O solid solution. This treatment led to a slightly increase in the crystallite size of ceria particles. On the other hand, the increase in the heat treatment resulted in an increase in the crystallite size, lattice constant and unit cell volume of nickel oxide. The formation of Ni–Ce–O solid solution with subsequent creation of oxygen vacancies increase as the heat treatment increases. However, the specific surface area, total pore volume and catalytic activity of the investigated system decrease as the preparation temperature increases from 500 to 700 °C. The sintering activation energy of NiO and ceria were found to be 2.8 and 12.7 kJ/mol, respectively.     

Mercarbide: An unusual organomercury polymer

Mercarbide [CHg₄O₂](OH)₂, is a mercury derivative of ethane in which all of the ethane hydrogen atoms are substituted by mercury atoms. Mercarbide exhibits basic and anion exchange properties in addition to showing unique stability towards mineral acids as well as oxidizing and reducing agents. The selectivity of mercarbide towards organic anions shows selectivity dependence on the size and configuration of the pendant hydrocarbon group. Titration of mercarbide with Hammett indicators shows that mercarbide in its hydroxide form is a solid base with sites allocation 7.2 < H₀ < 26.5. Studies of the catalytic activity of mercarbide towards alcohol oxyethylation and aldol condensation show that it functions as a homogeneous basic catalyst, but with increased activity owing to the higher basicity of its active sites. The present paper reviews the synthesis, structure, physicochemical, and catalytic properties of mercarbide.     

NiCo2O4 nanosheets supported on Ni foam for rechargeable nonaqueous sodium–air batteries

NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets supported on Ni foam were synthesized by a solvothermal method. A composite of NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets/Ni as a carbon-free and binder-free air cathode exhibited an initial discharge capacity of 1762 mAh g^− 1 with a low polarization of 0.96 V at 20 mA g^− 1 for sodium–air batteries. Na₂O₂ nanosheets were firstly observed as the discharged product in sodium–air battery. High electrocatalytic activity of NiCo₂O₄ nanosheets/Ni made it a promising air electrode for rechargeable sodium–air batteries.     

Synthesis and characterization of carbon-supported transition metal oxide nanoparticles — Cobalt porphyrin as catalysts for electroreduction of oxygen in acids

Unpyrolyzed, non noble metal catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR), denoted MeOx–CoP/C, were obtained using a two-step procedure. The procedure consisted of a synthesis of carbon-supported transition metal (Me═Co, or Ni, or Fe) nanoparticles, followed by adsorption of cobalt porphyrin (CoP). TEM and XPS analyses confirm the formation of nanoparticles and the presence of transition metal oxides. Rotating disk electrode measurements showed that the as-synthesized materials exhibit catalytic ORR activity in acidic medium toward oxygen reduction, which is higher than that of cobalt porphyrin on carbon. This reveals that the metal oxide nanoparticles enhance the activity of the metalloporphyrin without being electroactive themselves. The catalytic activity follows the sequence: CoOx–CoP/C > NiOx–CoP/C > FeOx–CoP/C, showing the influence of nature of the transition metal on the enhancing effect. The presence of a cobalt center incorporated in the macrocycle was found to be essential to the oxygen reduction reaction, appearing thus to be the catalytic active site of the reaction. Our data suggest the ORR occurs at a single active site.