Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity of an oxo-bridged dinuclear oxovanadium complex of an isonicotinohydrazide ligand

A mononuclear dioxo vanadium(V) complex of a hydrazone ONO donor ligand, [(VO2)-O-V(L-1)] (1), was synthesized by the reaction of V2O5 and terephthalic acid with H2L1 in 1:1:1 mol ratio, while an oxo-bridged bis(vanadium(IV)oxo) complex, [mu (2)-O-{(VO)-O-IV(L-2)}(2)] (2), was synthesized by the treatment of isonicotinic acid hydrazide, salicylaldehyde and CoSO4 center dot 7H(2)O with bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) (H2L1 = isonicotinic acid(2-hydroxy-benzylidene)-hydrazide, H2L2 = isonicotinic acid (1-methyl-3-oxo-butylidene)-hydrazide). The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structure of complex 2 was determined by X-ray analysis. The complexes were tested as catalysts for the oxidation of cycloalkenes and benzyl alcohol using H2O2 as terminal oxidant. Excellent selectivity was achieved in the oxidation of cyclohexene.