Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of a water soluble copper(II) and nickel(II) heterobimetallic complex [CuNi(μ-OH)(μ-OH₂)(μ-OAc)(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ in aqueous medium in the absence of a base and co-catalyst

Abstract

A copper(II)–nickel(II)-based catalyst system has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, mass spectra, magnetic moment, EPR, UV-Vis, IR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The structure of the complex was established by X-ray crystallography. The complex is an efficient catalyst, which oxidizes primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones at 70 °C employing 15% H₂O₂ as the oxidant in the absence of a base and co-catalyst.

Keywords:

• Heterobimetallic
• [CuNi(μ-OH)(μ-OH₂)(μ-OAc)(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂
• selective oxidation

Acknowledgment

Authors would like to thank to the Head, SAIF, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793022, India for recording ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. Sunshine D. Kurbah would like to thank UGC-NFST, New Delhi, India for award of University fellowship.