Solvent-free chemoselective oxidation of alcohols by hydrogen peroxide using a new synthesized copper complex as reusable heterogeneous nanocatalyst

Single crystal of a new copper(II) Schiff base complex [Cu(HL)(H₂O)NO₃] (1) (H₂L = {2-[(2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethyl-ethylimino)methyl]phenol}) and its nanostructure have been synthesized by slow evaporation of a methanol solution and sonochemical process, respectively. The structure of complex 1 was determined by FTIR, UV–Visible spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Nanostructure of the complex was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized complex was successfully applied as a new chemoselective and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the selective oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds in the presence of H₂O₂ as a green oxidant under solvent-free conditions. A suitable mechanism for the reaction is proposed.