DINUCLEAR METAL-COMPLEXES OF SCHIFF-BASE LIGANDS AS CATALYSTS FOR OXIDATION AND EPOXIDATION REACTIONS

Dinuclear copper(II) complexes (Cu(2)L(n)Cl(3)), nickel(II) complexes (Ni-2 L(n)Cl(3)) and cobalt(II) complexes (Co(2)L(2)(n)Cl(2)) from Sch iff base ligands are synthesised, characterised and used as catalysts for oxidation of 3,5-DTBC to 3,5-DTBQ. (Cu(2)L(n)Cl(3)) are found to b e more efficient than the other complexes. Dinuclear iron(III) complex es of composition (Fe(2)L(2)(n)Cl(3)) and ruthenium(III) complexes of composition Ru(2)L(2)(n)Cl(6)(PPh(3))(2) and Ru(2)L(2)nCI(2)(PPh(3))(2 ) catalyse epoxidation of styrene and cyctohexene. Catalytic activitie s of ruthenium(III) complexes are much greater than those of analogous iron(III) complexes.