Synthesis, crystal structure, and catalytic property of oxovanadium(V) complex derived from N′-(2-hydroxynaphthylidene)-4-chlorobenzohydrazide and 1,10-phenanthroline

A new oxovanadium(V) complex, [VO(L)(Phen)], where L is the dianionic form of N′-(2-hydroxynaphthylidene)-4-chlorobenzohydrazide, Phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectra, and single crystal X-ray determination. The crystal of the complex is monoclinic: space group P21/c, a = 11.2376(8), b = 13.3068(10), c = 17.5593(11) Å, β = 106.806(2)°, V = 2513.6(3) Å3, Z = 4. The V atom in the complex is in octahedral coordination, with the phenolate O, imine N, and enolate O atoms of L and one N atom of Phen define the equatorial plane, and with the other N atom of Phen and one oxo O atom located at the axial positions. The complex is a good catalyst for the oxidation of thioanisole to the corresponding sulfoxide by cumene hydroperoxide.