Synthesis, X-ray structure and catecholase activity of an antiferromagnetically coupled trinuclear nickel(II) complex

The synthesis and X-ray crystallographic characterization of one antiferromagnetically coupled trinuclear Ni(II) complex, [Ni3(L)2(OAc)2] (1) [L = N,N-(salicyaldene)-1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol], is reported. It effectively catalyses the oxidation of 3,5-ditertiarybutyl catechol to its corresponding quinone in methanol solvent. It follows Michaelis–Menten kinetics with a turnover number of 3.85 × 103 h−1.