SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND HOMOGENEOUS CATALYTIC ACTIVITY STUDY OF MN(II) AND FE(III) TERNARY COMPLEXES

The mixed ligand complexes of the type LFeACl . nH(2)O and LMnA . H2O where L is the mannich base obtained by hydrogenation of Schiff base l igands of salicylaldehyde and amino acids, and A is the bipyridyl or o rthophenanthroline synthesised. These complexes were characterised by elemental analysis, spectral, magnetic, FAB mass spectral and electroc hemical studies. These complexes have been used as catalysts for epoxi dation of olefins like cyclohexene, cis-cyclooctene and norbornene usi ng iodosylbenzene as the oxidant. In the epoxidation reactions using t hese complexes, it was found that Mn (II) complexes act as better cata lysts compared to Fe (III) complexes. The mechanism of the progress of the oxidation reaction and termination of catalytic activity has been investigated by using spectral and electrochemical studies. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.