Mechanism of Oxidation of 2,6‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐phenol with Molecular Oxygen, in Presence of Some New Bis(di‐halogeno α‐Methyl Salen) Copper(II) Complexes

Abstract

A new series of the Cu(II) Schiff bases complexes were prepared and characterised. The studies followed the influence of halogens grafted on the aromatic rings of ligands on properties and reactivity of copper(II) complexes. The complexes was characterised by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, UV‐Vis and EPR spectroscopy and cyclic voltametry. The catalytic activity these complexes were tested by the oxygenation reaction of 2,6‐di‐tert butyl phenol with molecular oxygen. The reaction mechanism of oxidation involves reversible formation of [LCu‐O₂] adducts.

Keywords:

• copper Schiff bases complexes
• cyclic voltammetry
• RPE
• catalytic activity