Synthesis,spectroscopic (IR,electronic, FAB-mass,and PXRD), magnetic,and antimicrobial studies of new iron(III) complexes containing Schiff bases and substituted benzoxazole ligands

Mixed ligand complexes of iron(III), [Fe(sb)₂(py)Cl]?·?2H₂O (1–9) [where sbH?=?Schiff bases (derived from condensation of 2-aminopyridine (sapH), 2-aminophenol (saphH), o-toluidine (o-smabH), aminobenzene (sabH), p-toluidine (p-smabH), 3-nitroaniline (snabH), and anthranilic acid (saaH) with salicylaldehyde and substituted (mercapto-)benzimidazole (mbzH), {2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)}benzoxazole, (pboxH)], have been synthesized by the interactions of iron(III) chloride with corresponding ligands in 1?:?2 molar ratio in refluxing pyridine. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, melting points, spectral, and magnetic studies. Powder X-ray diffraction studies of some representative complexes are also reported herein. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the free ligands and their iron(III) complexes were found in vitro. The complexes showed good antibacterial and antifungal effect to some bacteria and fungi. Two standard antibiotics (chloromphenicol and terbinafine) were used for comparison with these complexes.     

Synthesis of (2-hydroxo-5-chlorophenylaminoisonitrosoacetyl)phenyl ligands and their complexes: Spectral,thermal and solvent-extraction studies

Four different types of new ligands Ar[COC(NOH)R] _n (Ar=biphenyl, n = 1 H₂L¹; Ar=biphenyl, n = 2 H₄L²; Ar=diphenylmethane, n = 1 H₂L³; Ar=diphenylmethane, n = 2 H₄L⁴; R=2-amino-4-chlorophenol in all ligands) have been obtained from 1 equivalent of chloroketooximes Ar[COC(NOH)Cl] _n (HL¹-H₂L⁴) and 1 equivalent of 2-amino-4-chlorophenol (for H₂L¹ and H₂L³) or 2 equivalent of 2-amino-4-chlorophenol (for H₄L² and H₄L⁴). (Mononuclear or binuclear cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes were synthesized with these ligands.) These compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, AAS, infra-red spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The ligands have been further characterized by ¹H NMR. The results suggest that the dinuclear complexes of H₂L¹ and H₂L³ have a metal:ligand ratio of 1:2; the mononuclear complexes of H₄L² and H₄L⁴ have a metal:ligand ratio of 1:1 and dinuclear complexes H₄L² and H₄L⁴ have a metal:ligand ratio of 2:1. The binding properties of the ligands towards selected transition metal ions (Mn^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, Pb^II, Cd^II, Hg^II) have been established by extraction experiments. The ligands show strong binding ability towards mercury(II) ion. In addition, the thermal decomposition of some complexes is studied in nitrogen atmosphere.     

Alkyl chain self ordering,induction and suppression of mesophase by Cu(II) containing [1,2,3]-triazole-based bidentate salicylaldimine ligands: synthesis,characterisation and X-ray diffraction studies

Some new Cu(II) complexes containing [1,2,3]-triazole-based bidentate salicylaldimine and its analogues with terminal substituent (F, Cl, Br and I) have been synthesieed. All the target complexes and their uncoordinated ligands were elucidated by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques (UV-visible, FT-IR, 1D, 2D ¹H and ¹³C-NMR). The polarising optical microscope and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have disclosed all complexes and ligands are mesomorphic except the complex without any terminal substituent. The fluoro-substituted complexes with even parity C₁₄H₂₉ and C₁₆H₃₃ exhibit new enantiotropic nematic phase which was absent in their corresponding ligands, whereas the suppression of SmC phase occurred for all complexes with longer C₁₆H₃₃ and C₁₈H₃₇. X-ray diffraction confirmed the existence of SmA, SmC and N phases for complexes and ligands. The other notable feature is that the self-ordering of terminal alkyl chain occurred in SmA and SmC phases of complexes with even terminal alkyl chain ranging from C₁₄H₂₉ to C₁₈H₃₃. Their corresponding ligands exhibit intercalated structure of SmA and SmC phases. The thermal behaviour studies show that the fluoro-substituted triazole-based complexes possess lowest phase transition temperature and more stable as compared to other substituent which decomposed during the isotropisation.     

Synthesis and characterization of Schiff base metal complexes: their antimicrobial,genotoxicity and electrochemical properties

We have synthesized the three Schiff-base ligands H₂L¹–H₂L³ and their Co^II, Fe^III and Ru^III metal complexes. All compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. Oxidation of cyclohexane has been done by the metal complexes in CH₃CN using H₂O₂ and/or t-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as a co-catalyst. The keto-enol tautomeric forms of the ligands have been studied in polar and non-polar organic solvents. Electrochemical properties of the complexes have been studied at different scan rates. Thermal studies were carried out for the compounds. The ligands H₂L¹–H₂L³ were mutagenic on Salmonella Typhimurium TA 98 strain in the presence and/or absence of S9 mix. While the ligands H₂L¹ and H₂L² showed mutagenic activity on the strain TA 100 with and without S9 mix, the ligand H₂L³ was not mutagenic for TA 100. Antimicrobial activity studies of the compounds have also been carried out.     

Redox, thermodynamic and spectroscopic of some transition metal complexes containing heterocyclic Schiff base ligands

Complexes of two series of Schiff base ligands, H₂L_a and H₂L_bderived from the reaction of 2,6-diacetyl pyridine with semicarbazide, H₂L_a and thiosemicarbazide, H₂L_b, with the metal ions, Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), VO(IV) and UO₂(VI) have been prepared. The ligands are characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis and ¹H NMR. The structures of the complexes are investigated with the IR, UV–vis, X-band ESR spectra, ¹H NMR and thermal gravimetric analysis as well as conductivity and magnetic moment measurements. The IR-spectra reveal the presence of variable modes of chelation for the investigated ligands. A variety of binuclear or mononuclear complexes were obtained with the two ligands in tri-, tetra or pentadentate forms. The bonding sites are the pyridine nitrogen, two azomethine nitrogen atoms and ketonic oxygen in case of H₂L_a or sulphur atoms in case of H₂L_b. The Coats–Redfern equation has been used to calculate the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the different thermal decomposition steps of some complexes. Cyclic voltammograms of Co(II) and Ni(II) show quasi-reversible peaks. The redox properties and the nature of the electro-active species of the complexes have been characterized.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of three unsymmetrical vic -dioximes ligands

Cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes with three dioxime ligands cyclohexylamine-p-tolylglyoxime (L₁H₂), tert-butyl amine-p-tolylglioxime (L₂H₂) and sec-butylamine-p-tolylglyoxime (L₃H₂), have been prepared. The metal to ligand ratios of the complexes were found to be 1?:?2. The Cu(II) complexes of these ligands are proposed to be square planar; the Co(II) complexes are proposed to be octahedral with water molecules as axial ligands. Ligands and complexes are soluble in common solvents such as DMSO, DMF, CHCl₃ and C₂H₅OH. The ligands have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-VIS, ¹H?NMR, ¹³C?NMR and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-VIS, magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and electrochemistry. Electrochemical properties of metal complexes show quasi-reversible one-electron redox processes. However, Co(L₁H)₂ and Cu(L₁H)₂ complexes show another oxidation peak in the positive region. This single irreversible oxidation peak is caused by the cyclic ring of the ligand. Data also revealed that the electron transfer rates of metal complexes with L₁H₂ are higher than the other complexes.     

Synthesis, characterization, catalytic, electrochemical and thermal properties of tetradentate Schiff base complexes

In this study, the Schiff base ligands H₂L¹–H₂L³ and their Cu^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Fe^III Ru^III and VO^IV complexes have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical techniques. All the complexes are mononuclear. Keto-enol tautomeric forms of the ligands have been investigated in polar and apolar solvents. The ligands favor the keto-form in the C₇H₈ and C₆H₁₄. The C–C coupling reaction of the 2,6-di-t-butylphenol has been investigated by the Co^II and Cu^II complexes. Thermal properties of the complexes have been assessed using thermal techniques and similar properties were found. In the Fe^III and Ru^III complexes, firstly, the coordinated water molecule is lost from the complex; in the second step, the chloride ion leaves the molecule in the 300–350 °C temperature range. Finally, the complexes decompose to the appropriate metal oxide at the higher temperature ranges. The electrochemical properties of the complexes have been studied in the two different solvents (DMF and CH₃CN).     

Synthesis,characterization, and X-ray crystal structures of metal complexes with new Schiff-base ligands and their antibacterial activities

Two new potentially hexadentate Schiff bases, [H₂L¹] and [H₂L²], were prepared by condensation of 2-(3-(2-aminophenoxy)naphthalen-2-yloxy)benzenamine with 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde and o-vanillin, respectively. Reaction of these ligands with cobalt(II) chloride, copper(II) perchlorate, and zinc(II) nitrate gave complexes ML. The ligands and their complexes have been characterized by a variety of physico-chemical techniques. The solid and solution state investigations show that the complexes are neutral. Molecular structures of [CuL¹], [CoL¹]?·?C₇H₈, and [ZnL²]?·?CH₃CN, which have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, indicate that [CuL¹] and [ZnL²]?·?CH₃CN display distorted square planar and distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry, respectively; the geometry around cobalt in [CoL¹]?·?C₇H₈ is almost exactly between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal. The synthesized ligands and their complexes were screened for their antibacterial activities against eight bacterial strains and the ligands and complexes have antibacterial effects. The most effective ones are [CuL²] against Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus subtilis, [H²L¹] against S. subtilis, and [H₂L²] against S. subtilis.     

Synthesis, characterization, and pH-induced luminescence switching of two trinuclear Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes containing imidazole

Two tripodal ligands H₃L¹ and H₃L² containing imidazole rings have been prepared by the reaction of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione with 1,3,5-tris[(4-formylphenoxy)methyl]benzene and 1,3,5-tris[(2-formylphenoxy)methyl]benzene, respectively. Trinuclear Ru(II) complexes [(bpy)₆Ru₃H₃L^1?C2](PF₆)₆ (bpy=2,2??-bipyridine) have been obtained by the condensation of Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂?·?2H₂O with ligands H₃L¹ and H₃L², respectively. The pH effects on the UV?CVis absorption and emission spectra of both complexes have been studied, and ground- and excited-state ionization constants of both complexes have been derived. The photophysical properties of both complexes are strongly dependent on the solution pH. They act as pH-induced switchable luminescence sensors through protonation and deprotonation of the imidazole groups, with a maximum on?Coff ratio of 6 in buffer solution at room temperature.     

Nickel(II) complexes of ONS donor Schiff base ligands: synthesis,combined DFT-experimental characterization,redox, thermal,and in vitro biological investigation

This article reports the synthesis and characterization of four Ni(II) Schiff base complexes, [Ni(L)(H₂O)], where H₂L = N-(dehydroacetic acid)-thiosemicarbazide (H₂dha-tsc), N-(dehydroacetic acid)-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (H₂dha-mtsc), N-(dehydroacetic acid)-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (H₂dha-ptsc), or N-(dehydroacetic acid)-4-phenylsemicarbazide (H₂dha-psc). The nature of bonding and stereochemistry of these complexes have been deduced from elemental analysis, infrared and electronic spectral studies, molar conductance, magnetic measurements, mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR studies, and cyclic voltammetry. The stabilities of the complexes were determined in both solid state and solution. Molecular geometry optimizations and vibrational frequency calculations were performed with Gaussian 09 software package using density functional theory (DFT) with B3LYP/6-311G for a ligand (dha-ptscH₂) and B3LYP/LANL2DZ combination for [Ni(dha-mtsc)(H₂O)]. Based on the combined experimental and theoretical studies, square planar geometry has been proposed for the Ni(II) complexes. The Schiff base ligands and their metal complexes were screened for antibacterial activities against gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ) at different concentrations to get their minimum inhibition concentration values. The bactericidal activity was enhanced in metal complexes as compared to free ligands.     

Green Synthesis of new Trizole Based Heterocyclic Amino Acids Ligands and their Transition Metal Complexes. Characterization,Kinetics, Antimicrobial and Docking Studies

Two novel amino acids imine ligands (H₂L₁ and H₂L₂) have been synthesized using green condensation reaction from 2‐[3‐Amino‐5‐(2‐hydroxy‐phenyl)‐5‐methyl‐1,5‐dihydro‐[1, 2, 4]triazol‐4‐yl]‐3‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐propionic acid with benzaldehyde/p‐flouro benzaldehyde (1:1 molar ratio) in the presence of lemon juice as a natural acidic catalyst in aqueous medium. Their transition metal complexes have been prepared in a molar ratio (1:1). Characterization of the ligands and complexes using elemental analysis, spectroscopic studies, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, and thermal analysis has been reported. E*, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG* thermodynamic parameters, were calculated to throw more light on the nature of changes accompanying the thermal decomposition process of these complexes. The molar conductance measurement of metal complexes showed nonelectrolyte behavior. The metal complexes of the two ligands have tetrahedral geometry with a general molecular structure [M(H₂L)X_n], where [(M = Mn (II), Co (II), Cu (II) and Zn (II), X = Cl, n = 2]; M = VO (II), X = SO₄, n = 1] for H₂L₁. [M = Co (II), Cu (II), Zn (II)] for H₂L₂. Antibacterial activity of the complexes against (Bacillis subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli), also antifungal activity against (Aspergillus niger, Candida Glabarta, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) have been screened. The results showed that all complexes have antimicrobial activity higher than free ligands. Molecular docking studies results showed that, all the synthesized compounds having minimum binding energy and have good affinity toward the active pocket, thus, they may be considered as good inhibitor of targeting PDB code: 1SC7 (Human DNA Topo‐isomerase I).     

Cadmium coordination polymers based on biimidazole and bibenzimidazole: Syntheses,crystal structures and fluorescent properties

Three new Cd^II complexes with two analogous ligands of 2,2′-biimidazole (H₂biim) and 2,2′-bibenzimidazole (H₂bbim), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy as well as single crystal X-ray diffraction. The results reveal that the structures of the complexes range from one-dimensional (1D) chains in [Cd(H₂biim)(N₃)₂]_n (1) to two-dimensional (2D) layer in [Cd(bbim)_0.5(Hbbim)]_n (2) and three-dimensional (3D) network in [Cd₃(biim)₂(Hbiim)(N₃)]_n (3), with various modes of these ligands, which is tuned by different polarity of solvents and pH values. The fluorescent spectra of these complexes and ligands have been also investigated in the solid state at room temperature.     

Microwave assisted synthesis,characterization and biological evaluation of palladium and platinum complexes with azomethines

Reactions of 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethylthiophene with thiosemicarbazide and semicarbazide hydrochloride resulted in the formation of new heterocyclic ketimines, 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethylthiophene thiosemicarbazone (C₉H₁₃N₃OS₂ or L¹H) and 3-acetyl-2,5- dimethylthiophene semicarbazone (C₉H₁₃N₃OS or L²H), respectively. The Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes have been synthesized by mixing metal salts in 1:2 molar ratios with these ligands by using microwave as well as conventional heating method for comparison purposes. The authenticity of these ligands and their complexes has been established on the basis of elemental analysis, melting point determinations, molecular weight determinations, IR, ¹H NMR and UV spectral studies. These studies showed that the ligands coordinate to the metal atom in a monobasic bidentate manner and square planar environment around the metal atoms has been proposed to the complexes. Both the ligands and their complexes have been screened for their antimicrobial activities. The antiamoebic activity of both the ligands and their palladium compounds against the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica has been tested.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and catalytic properties of phenoxo-bridged dinuclear manganese(III) complexes with bis-Schiff bases

Two structurally similar centrosymmetric phenoxo-bridged dinuclear manganese(III) complexes, [Mn₂(L¹)₂(N₃)₂] (1) and [Mn₂(L²)₂(NCS)₂] (2), were prepared from the tetradentate bis-Schiff base ligands, N,N’-bis(salicylidene)propane-1,2-diamine (H₂L¹) and N,N’-bis(salicylidene)ethane-1,2-diamine (H₂L²), respectively, in the presence of pseudohalides. The complexes have been characterized by FTIR, elemental analyses, and molar conductivity. Structures of the complexes have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray determination. The bis-Schiff base ligands coordinate with Mn through their phenolate oxygen and imino nitrogen. Each Mn is an octahedral. The complexes showed that they exhibit high activity in catalytic olefin oxidation.     

Binuclear vanadium(V) complexes of bis(aryl)adipohydrazone: synthesis,spectroscopic studies,crystal structure and catalytic activity

Three new binuclear vanadium(V) complexes of bis(aryl)adipohydrazones (H₄L¹ = bis((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)adipohydrazide, H₄L² = bis(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)adipohydrazide, and H₄L³ = bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)adipohydrazide) were synthesized by direct reaction of [VO(acac)₂] with the hydrazone ligands. The ligands and complexes were characterized by FT–IR, UV–Vis, and NMR spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of the complexes of L¹ and L³ were determined by X-ray analyses. The solid-state structure of the complex of L¹ features a 1D hydrogen-bonded chain from N⋯H–O hydrogen bonding. The catalytic activities of these complexes have been tested in the oxidation of various hydrocarbons using H₂O₂ as the terminal oxidant. Generally, good to excellent conversions have been obtained.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological evaluation of new copper complexes of naphthyl pyrazole ligands

Two naphthalene pyrazole ligands were synthesized using KOH/DMSO and Cu catalyst and characterized with FT-IR, ESI-MS, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The crystal structures of 1-(2-methylnaphthalen-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole (MeNap-Pz) ligand have been determined with X-ray crystal structure analysis. Reaction of the ligands with Cu(NO₃)₂x3.5H₂O gave two new complexes and characterized with magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, FT-IR, LCMS-MS, ICP-OES, NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, and ESR spectra. The spectral data of the ligands are coordinated to the metal ion through the nitrogen atoms of the pyrazole ring. Consequently, it has been determined that [Cu(MeNap-Pz)₂(NO₃)]NO₃.2H₂O complex showed square planar geometry and [Cu(NapMe-Pz)₂(NO₃)₂].H₂O complex showed octahedral geometry. All compounds were screened for in vitro antibacterial activity and copper complexes have been shown to be effective on bacteria.     

Spectral,magnetic, thermal and electrochemical studies on new copper(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes

The chelation behavior of some =N(1) and NH(4) thiosemicarbazones towards copper(II) ions has been investigated. The isolated complexes are characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic moment, electronic, IR, ESR and ms spectra, and by thermal and voltammetric measurements. The substituents on =N(1) and/or NH(4) thiosemicarbazones and the log K values of the ligands play an important role in complex formation. The IR spectra showed that the reagents HAT, HAET, HAPT, HApClPT, H₂ST and HBT are deprotonated in the complexes and act as mononegative SN donors; H₂SET, H₂SpClPT, H₂HyMBPT and H₂HyMBpClPT, as binegative NSO donors while H₂SPT is a mononegative NSO donor. The ESR spectra of the complexes are quite similar and exhibit axially symmetric g-tensor parameters with g _‖?>?g _⊥?>?2.0023. The loss of thiol and/or hydroxyl hydrogen was confirmed from potentiometric titrations of the ligands and their copper(II) complexes. The protonation constants of the ligands as well as the stability constants of their Cu(II) complexes were calculated. Thermogravimetric analysis of the complexes suggests different decomposition steps. The Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger equations have been used to calculate the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the different thermal decomposition steps of some complexes. The redox properties, nature of the electroactive species and the stability of the complexes towards oxidation are strongly dependent on the substituents on the precursor NH(4) thiosemicarbazone. The redox data are discussed in terms of the kinetic parameters and the reaction mechanism.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological activity of some complex combinations of nickel with α-ketoglutaric acid and 1-(o-tolyl)biguanide

The four divalent nickel complexes having α-ketoglutaric acid (H₂A) and 1-(o-tolyl)biguanide (TB) ligands have been synthesized, characterized, and tested for antibacterial and antitumor activity.The proposed formulas for these complexes are [Ni(TB)(HA)(H₂O)₂]Cl (C1), [Ni(TB)(HA)(H₂O)₂]Br (C2), [Ni(TB)(HA)]NO₃·H₂O (C3), and [Ni(TB)(HA)]CH₃COO (C4), where HA represents deprotonated H₂A.For the four complexes and for the ligands used in the synthesis, the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and antitumor activity in HeLa tumor cells were tested. A moderate cytotoxic effect of C3 and C4 complexes has been observed on the development and metabolic activity of HeLa cells, whereas C1 and C2 ligands have a very low effect on them.The synthesized complexes (obtained) inhibit adherence to the inert substrate of bacterial strains S. aureus and P. aeruginosa; therefore, they may be candidates for (potential) therapeutic applications.     

Spectral and Structural Studies of the Copper(II) Complexes of 3, 4‐Hexanedione Bis(3‐azacyclothiosemicarbazones)

Copper(II) complexes of 3, 4‐hexanedione bis(piperidyl‐ and bis(hexamethyleneiminylthiosemicarbazone), H₂Hxpip and H₂Hxhexim, respectively, have been prepared and studied spectroscopically. The bis(thiosemicarbazones) have been characterized by their melting points, as well as IR, electronic and ¹H NMR spectra. Upon formation of their copper(II) complexes, loss of the hydrazinic hydrogen atoms occurs, and the ligands coordinate as dianionic, tetradentate N₂S₂ ligands. The crystal structures of H₂Hxpip, its 4‐coordinate copper(II) complex, [Cu(Hxpip)], and the related [Cu(Hxhexim)] have been determined by single crystal x‐ray diffraction. The nature of the four‐coordinate copper(II) complexes have also been characterized by ESR, IR, and electronic spectroscopy, as well as magnetic moments and elemental analyses.     

Synthesis,characterization, electrochemical behaviour and catalytic activity of manganese(II) complexes with linear and tripodal tetradentate ligands derived from Schiff bases

New manganese(II) complexes, [Mn(H₂L)(H₂O)₂]Cl₂· xH₂O, with linear and tripodal tetradentate ligands have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, i.r. spectra, magnetic measurements and electronic and e.s.r. spectra. The data show that the ligands are neutral and coordinate to manganese in a tetradentate manner; the other axial sites are occupied by the water molecules. Magnetic and e.s.r. data show that manganese(II) adopts a high-spin configuration in the complexes. The electrochemical behaviour of the complexes, determined by cyclic voltammetry, shows that the chelate structure, ligand geometry and electron donating effect of the ligand substituents are among the factors influencing the redox potentials of the complexes. In addition, we note that linear ligands stabilize the manganese(III) state to a greater extent than tripodal ligands and their complexes vigorously catalyse the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of added imidazole.