TEMPLATE SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND CATALYTIC BEHAVIOR OF OXOVANADIUM(IV) MACROCYCLIC COMPLEXES

The oxovanadium(IV)-directed condensation of 2,4-pentane dione with di amines [ethylenediamine(a), 1,2-diaminopropane(b), 1,3-diaminopropane( c) and o-phenylenediamine(d)] in ethanol produces macrocyclic complexe s of the type [VO(L)SO4)].3H(2)O [1a-1d] in high yields. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, conductance measuremen ts, IR, electronic and ESR spectra. They act as active catalysts at ro om temperature for olefin epoxidation in the presence of t-butylhydrop eroxide(TBHP). Norbornene gives exo epoxide. Competitive epoxidation o f cycloolefins follows the order:norbornene > cyclohexene. The anionic surfactants (SLS) promote epoxide formation when catalysts 1a and 1c are used.