Iron(II)-bis (salicyladimine) Schiff-base complexes catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

The tetradentate Schiff-base ligands, N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-ethylenediamine (Salen), N,N′-bis(salicylidene) butylenediamine (Salbut), and N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-o–phenylenediamine, (sal-o-phen) are very strongly sorbed by cation exchange resin (Dowex-50W) with Fe²⁺ ions as a counter ion, forming stable complexes. The kinetics of the catalytic decomposition of H₂O₂ using these complexes was studied in ethanolic medium. The reaction was first-order with salen and sal-o-phen and second-order with salbut with respect to [H₂O₂]. The rate of the H₂O₂ decomposition increased either from salen to salbut or from salen to sal-o-phen. Also, the k (per g dry resin) values decreased with increasing both the particle size and the degree of resin cross-linkage. The active species formed at the beginning of the reaction, had an inhibiting effect on the reaction rate. The corresponding activation parameters were calculated from a least-squares fit of the temperature dependence of the rate constant. A reaction mechanism is proposed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.