Synthesis and characterization of N3Py2 ligand-based cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) catalysts for efficient conversion of hydrocarbons to alcohols

Three new complexes [Co(N3Py2)(H2O)](ClO4)2 1, [Ni(N3Py2)(H2O)](ClO4)2 2 and [Cu(N3Py2)](ClO4)2 3 (N3Py2 is N,N′-dimethyl-N-(2-(methyl(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)ethyl)-N′-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine) have been synthesized and characterized. Non-heme ligand N3Py2 have been prepared by Eschweiler-Clarke method and reported for the first time. Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by single crystal X-ray structure analysis. The structure of 1 and 2 revealed that Co(II) cation in 1 and Ni(II) cation in 2 are bonded to the five nitrogen atoms of N3Py2 and a water molecule thus forming an octahedral motif [M(N3Py2)(H2O)]2+. For compound 3, a square pyramidal geometry has been proposed based on the spectroscopic, elemental analysis and ESI-MS data. Compounds 1–3 were tested as catalysts in the oxidation of cumene and adamantane using m-CPBA. Comparative effect of counter anions on the product yields was observed when the perchlorates anions of 1–3 were replaced with tetraphenylborates to give compounds 1a–3a. The turnover numbers of alcohol over ketone product increased in order of catalysts, 1(1a) > 2(2a) > 3(3a).