Studies of the interaction of the salicylideneserinatecopper(II) complex with β-cyclodextrin:: Characterization and reactivity of the inclusion compound

The compound formed by the copper-Schiff base complex salicylideneserinatecopper(lI), [Cu(sal-ser)(H2O)], interacting with B-cyclodextrin was prepared, and characterized in the solid state by infrared, UV-visible and EPR spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and thermoanalytical techniques. The catalytic activity of this compound, [Cu(sal-ser)CD], in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, and in the dismutation of superoxide radicals was also verified, in comparison with the reactivity of the free complex, in aqueous solution. In both cases, a decreasing in the reaction rate was observed for the CD-containing compound. The results of structural characterization, in addition to the substantial differences observed in the catalytic activities of the compounds, are indicative of partial insertion of the copper complex in the cavity of the oligosaccharide.