Synthesis and Characterization of Oligonuclear Ru, Co and Cu Oxidation Catalysts

Abstract

Abstract In this work, we report the preparation and crystal structures of three new oligonuclear complexes, Ru 2 (bbpmp)(μ‐OAc) 3 ( 4 ), [Co 2 (bbpmp)(μ‐OAc)(μ‐OMe)](PF 6 ) ( 5 ), [Cu 4 (Hbbpmp) 2 (μ‐OAc)(H2O) 2 ](OAc)(PF 6 ) 2 ( 6 ) {H 3 bbpmp = 2,6‐bis[(2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]‐4‐methyl‐phenol ( 3 )}. The structures of the complexes were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The oxidation states of ruthenium, cobalt and copper in the complexes are +3, +3 and +2, respectively. In 4 and 5 , Ru III and Co III are coordinated to four oxygen and two nitrogen atoms in an octahedral geometry, while in 6 , Cu II adopts both octahedral (CuN 2 O 4 ) and square‐pyramidal (CuN 2 O 3 ) geometry. The potential of the three complexes as oxidation catalysts has been investigated.