Synthesis and characterization of nickel(II), cobalt(II) manganese(II), copper(II), iron(III) and chromium(III) complexes of unsymmetrical salen-type ligand and their application as catalysts for the oxidation of styrene

Salen type ligand has been synthesized in high yield, from which the nickel(II), cobalt(II), manganese(II), copper(II), iron(III) and chromium(III) complexes have been synthesized. The resulting complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR and electronic spectral data, magnetic susceptibility measurements and thermogravimetric analysis. The complexes have been tested for their ability to activate molecular oxygen in the catalytic oxidation of styrene. Manganese(II), nickel(II) and chromium(III) complexes show slight high catalytic activity towards oxidation of styrene as compared to others. Scanning electron micrograph and powder X-ray diffractogram have also been reported.