Coordination compounds from the planar tridentate Schiff-base ligand 2-methoxy-6-((quinolin-8-ylimino)methyl)phenol (mqmpH) with several transition metal ions: Use of [FeIII(mqmp)(CH3OH)Cl2] in the catalytic oxidation of alkanes and alkenes

Four coordination compounds were synthesized in high yields from different transition metal ions (Fe-III, Co-II, and Cu-II) and an in situ generated Schiff-base ligand, i.e. 2-methoxy-6-((quinolin-8-ylimino) methyl)phenol (mqmpH). The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, ESI-MS. IR spectroscopy, and ligand-field spectroscopy. The iron(III) complex is an efficient catalyst for the oxidation of alkanes and alkenes, under relatively mild conditions and with dihydrogen peroxide as terminal oxidant. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.