Synthesis, X-ray characterization and catalytic homogenous alcohol oxidation activity of Co(II)–carboxamide complex with green oxidant (H2O2) under mild conditions

Abstract

Abstract In this study, a new air and moisture stable mononuclear cobalt(II)–carboxamide complex, [Co(TCrbx)2(CH3OH)2](ClO4)2, was synthesized and characterized (TCrbx = N-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)thiophene-2-carboxamide). Complex characterization mainly was done with single crystal X-ray analysis. Ligand characterization was done with several spectroscopic techniques (Elemental Analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR). Cobalt(II) complex possesses distorted octahedral geometry coordinated with two carboxamide ligands at equatorial and two methanol ligands at axial positions and two perchlorate anions as counter ions. Synthesized complex was successfully tested as homogenous catalyst for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol with environmental friendly oxidant hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under mild conditions. Benzaldehyde was selectively obtained with the conversion value of 99.5% in dimethyl formamide after 3-h reaction time at 50 °C with 133 TON value. Solvent and temperature effects were also investigated.