Synthesis and catalytic activity of binuclear cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes

Summary Binuclear Ni^II and Co^II complexes derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and various aromatic monoamines have been prepared and investigated. The Ni^II complexes have Ni₂LCl₃ composition while the Co^II complexes have Co₂L₂Cl₂ composition, where L represents the organic ligand. The complexes are active catalysts in the oxidation of 3,5-di-t-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) by dioxygen, but less so than their Cu analogues. This result is attributed to the absence of antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal centres.