Green synthesis of a vanadium(V) Schiff base complex by grinding method: study on its catalytic and anti-bacterial activity

Abstract

A facile protocol was developed for the green synthesis of a Schiff base and its vanadium(V) complex. The compounds were derived from salicylaldehyde, diethylenetriamine and vanadyl sulfate by applying grinding method to overcome environmental issues with solvents. The reactions took place rapidly and products were isolated pure. The compounds were characterized with elemental, EDX, mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, UV-vis, FTIR and NMR analysis. The synthesized vanadium(V) complex was an efficient and selective catalyst towards oxidation of organic sulfides and alcohols. The oxidation reactions were conducted under microwave irradiation as well as conventional heating. A reaction mechanism has been proposed for the catalytic oxidation reactions. The mechanism was further established by using GAUSSIAN16 suite. The complex also showed good anti-bacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.