Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) complexes of sulfadiazine with amino acids: catalytic activity toward oxidation of phenol and catechol

New copper complexes of DL-methioninoylsulfadiazine (MTS) and L-cystinoylsulfadiazine (CYS) were prepared and characterized using elemental analysis, IR, electronic spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The mode of binding indicates that copper binds to MTS through carbonyl oxygen with the amino group nitrogen while for Cu-II-CYS the copper binds through carbonyl oxygen and SH with removal of its proton. The proposed structures were supported by conformational analysis which showed predominance of the trans form of copper(II)-L-cystinoylsulfadiazine. The two complexes enhanced oxidation of phenol and catechol in the presence of H2O2 under mild conditions. The catalyst shows proficiency toward oxidation of phenol and catechol compared to the auto-catalytic oxidation. Cu-II-MTS exhibited higher catalytic activity than Cu-II-CYS. The phenol and catechol oxidation is inhibited by Kojic acid.