Preparation and catalysis of chloromethylated polystyrene-supported macrocyclic Schiff base metal complexes for the oxidation of cumene

Chloromethylated polystyrene-supported macrocyclic Schiff base metal complexes (PS-L-M, M = Cu2+, CO2+, Ni2+, and Mn2+) were synthesized and characterized by the methods of IR, ICP, and small area X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The oxidation of cumene by molecular oxygen in the absence of solvent with the synthesized complexes employed as catalyst was carried out. In comparison with their catalytic activities, PS-L-Cu is a more effective catalyst for the oxidation of cumene. The main products are 2-phenyl-2-propanol (PP) and cumene hydroperoxide, which were measured by GC/MS. The influences of reaction temperature, the amount of catalyst, as well as the reaction time on the oxidation of cumene were investigated. Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.