Heterotrinuclear manganese(II) and vanadium(IV) Schiff base complexes as epoxidation catalysts

The catalytic epoxidation of styrene using urea-hydrogen peroxide and heterotrinuclear Cu(II) complexes with general formula (ML ⁿ )₂Cu(acac)₂, where n = 1–3 and M = VO²⁺ or Mn²⁺ is reported. Schiff base complexes ML ⁿ involving a 3,4-diaminopyridine bridge with free coordination site were used as the ligand, where (Lⁿ)²⁻ is (5-x-Sal)₂Py]² and x = H, Br or NO₂. The complexes were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The electrochemical properties of M were modified upon trinuclear complex formation. The trinuclear complexes show high catalytic activity, with up to 86% conversion and 93% selectivity, while no catalytic properties were observed for the monomeric complexes. The catalyst could be reused with some loss of activity.