Synthesis, Characterization and reactivities of Schiff-base complexes of Ruthenium(III)

Abstract

Schiff-base complexes of ruthenium (1–5) have been synthesized using Schiff-base ligands derived by condensation of either 1,2-phenylenediamine with aldehydes (salicyldehyde, 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde) or acetylacetone with amines (2-aminophenol, 2-aminomethylpyridine). All complexes were characterized by analytical, spectroscopic, conductance, magnetic moment and electrochemical studies. At room temperature, complexes 1–5 catalyze the oxidation of both saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons using tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH). A mechanism involving formation of and transfer from a reactive high valency Ru(V)-oxo species as the catalytic intermediate is proposed for the processes.

Keywords:

• Ruthenium complex
• Schiff-base ligands
• t-BuOOH
• Oxo transfer catalysis

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge financial support (SP/S1/F03/96) from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. We are thankful to Dr G.P. Sinha, Director of this Institute, for his encouragement of this work. AM thanks CSIR, New Delhi, for an SRF.