Tris{2-[(5-fluorosalicylidene)amino]ethyl}amine and its manganese(III) complex: Synthesis, characterization, crystal structures, and catalytic property

A tris-Schiff base tris{2-[(5-fluorosalicylidene)amino]ethyl}amine (H3L) was prepared by the reaction of 1: 3 molar ratio of tris(2-aminoethy1)amine with 5-fluorosalicylaldehyde in methanol. The Schiff base reacted with manganese perchlorate to give a mononuclear manganese(III) complex, [MnL]. The Schiff base and the complex were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, and single-crystal X-ray determination. The Schiff base crystallized in triclinic space group P (1) over bar, with unit cell dimensions a = 10.191(2) angstrom, b = 10.778(2) angstrom, c = 13.353(2) angstrom, alpha = 79.727(2)degrees, beta = 81.986(2)degrees, gamma = 64.717(2)degrees, V = 1301.6(3) angstrom(3), Z = 2, R-1 = 0.0522, wR(2) = 0.1155. The complex crystallized in cubic space group Ia-3, with unit cell dimensions a = b = c = 21.6266(5) angstrom, V = 10115.0(4) angstrom(3), Z = 16, R-1 = 0.0779, wR(2) = 0.2442. The Mn atom in the complex is in octahedral coordination. The complex has good catalytic capability in the oxidation of selected olefins to the corresponding epoxides.