Synthesis and study of binuclear calix[4]arene Schiff base Co(II) complexes as catalyst in the presence of PhIO for the catalytic oxidation of olefin

The binuclear Co(II) complexes of calix4]arene substituted 2-vanillin (R₁) and 2-hydroxy naphthaldimine (R₂), Schiff bases (Co₂L¹ and Co₂L²) have been synthesized, characterized and employed as models to mimic monooxygenase in the catalytical oxidation of olefins. The kinetic mathematical model (oxygen rebound mechanism) for olefin cleavage catalyzed by the complexes has been proposed. The results show that, compared to the calix4]arene-free analogous, the mono and multinuclear complexes of calix4]arene Schiff bases as catalyst exhibit high activity in the olefin catalytic oxidation.