Homogeneous and heterogeneous olefin epoxidation catalyzed by a binuclear Mn(II)Mn(III) complex

The synthesis and characterization of a binuclear carboxylated bridged manganese complex containing the heptadentate ligand N,N′-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-bis(2-methylpyridyl)-2-ol-1,3-propanediamine (H₃bbppnol) is reported. This complex was characterized by elemental analysis; infrared, electronic (UV–vis) and EPR spectroscopy; and conductivity measurements. The complex was immobilized on silica by either adsorption or entrapment via a sol–gel route. The obtained solids were characterized by thermogravimetric analyses (TG and DSC), UV–vis and infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The catalytic performance of the binuclear manganese complex in epoxidation reactions was evaluated for both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. The catalytic investigation revealed that the complex performs well as an epoxidation catalyst for the substrates cyclohexene (26–39%) and cyclooctene (29–74%). The solids containing the immobilized complex can be recovered from the reaction medium and reused, maintaining good catalytic activity.