Dinuclear metal complexes of Schiff base ligands as catalysts for oxidation and epoxidation reactions

Dinuclear copper(II) complexes (Cu₂ L_nCl₃), nickel(II) complexes (Ni₂ L_nCl₃) and cobalt(II) complexes (Co₂L ₂ ⁿ Cl₂) from Schiff base ligands are synthesised, characterised and used as catalysts for oxidation of 3,5-DTBC to 3,5-DTBQ. (Cu₂L_nCl₃) are found to be more efficient than the other complexes. Dinuclear iron(III) complexes of composition (Fe₂L₂Cl₂) and ruthenium (III) complexes of composition Ru₂L ₂ ⁿ Cl₆(PPh₃)₂ and Ru₂L ₂ ⁿ Cl₂(PPh₃)₂ catalyse epoxidation of styrene and cyclohexene. Catalytic activities of ruthenium(III) complexes are much greater than those of analogous iron(III) complexes.