Crystal structure of an unsymmetrical Schiff base, immobilization of its cobalt and manganese complexes on a silica support, and catalytic studies

An unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base (H₂L) was synthesized by the reaction of 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde, o-phenylenediamine, and salicylaldehyde in EtOH. H₂L was characterized by single-crystallographic X-ray analysis. Its Co(II) and Mn(III) complexes (CoL] and MnLCl]) were prepared and immobilized on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane functionalized silica gel. The immobilized materials were found to be efficient catalysts for epoxidation of styrene in the presence of tert-BuOOH in acetonitrile at 40 °C. The catalysts can be reused several times without significant loss of performance.