Single end-on azido bridged 1D chain copper(II) complex: Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and catalytic activity in homogeneous epoxidation of cyclooctene

Abstract: A new azido derivative of a NNO donor tridentate Schiff-base copper(II) complex, [CuL(μ1,1-N3)] n (1) (HL=1-(N-ortho-hydroxyacetophenimine)-2-(N-ethyl)aminoethane), containing a single end-on μ1,1-azido bridged 1D infinite chain has been synthesized and characterized. X-ray single crystal structure analysis reveals that the complex [CuL(μ1,1-N3)] n (1) is a 1D chain in which neighboring Cu(II) chromophores are related by glide planes and linked by single azido bridges in the EO mode. No measurable magnetic interaction was evidenced in the complex [CuL(μ1,1-N3)] n (1) through variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements (10–300K). The complex was used as an active catalyst for the epoxidation of cyclooctene using tert-butyl-hydroperoxide as an oxidant. The catalytic activity of the complex has been compared in a series of solvents. The results show that in acetonitrile medium, the epoxide was produced in high yield with high selectivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]