Polymer supported nickel complex: Synthesis, structure and catalytic application

In the present investigation, a new synthetic route for a novel recyclable free [3-MOBdMBn-Ni] and polystyrene-anchored [P-3-MOBdMBn-Ni] nickel complexes is presented. The free and polymer-anchored metal complexes were synthesized by the reaction of nickel (II) with one molar equivalent of unsupported N N'-bis (2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) 4-Methylbenzene-1,2-diamine (3-MOBdMBn) or polymer-supported (P-3-MOBdMBn) Schiff-base ligand in methanol under nitrogen atmosphere. The advantages of these polymer-supported catalysts are the low cost of catalyst and recyclability up to six times, due to easy availability of materials and simple synthetic route. The higher efficiency of complexation of nickel on the polymer-anchored 3-MOBdMBn Schiff base than the unsupported analogue is another advantage of this catalyst system. The structural study reveals that nickel(II) complex of 3-MOBdMBn is square planar in geometry. The catalytic activity of nickel complex towards the oxidation of phenol was investigated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Experimental results indicate that the reactivity of P-3-MOBdMBn-Ni was dramatically affected by the polymer support compared to free 3-MOBdMBn-Ni. The rates of oxidation (R-p) for unsupported and supported catalysts are 1.37 x 10(-6) mole dm(-3) s(-1) and 2.33 x 10(-6) mole dm(-3) s(-1) respectively.