Synthesis, spectroscopic and catalytic studies of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes immobilized on Schiff base modified chitosan

A new class of bidentate (N, O) Schiff base ligand (L) has been derived from the functional biopolymer (chitosan) and 1,2-diphenylethanedione in 1:1 M ratio. This ligand has been used to synthesise the new first row transition metal complexes of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II). The structural properties of the ligand and the synthesized tetra-coordinated complexes have been investigated by elemental analysis, magnetic study, molar conductance measurement and spectroscopic methods viz. FT-IR, UV–Vis., 1H NMR, 13C NMR and XRD. The spectral evidences strongly suggested the square planar geometry to the complexes. The XRD studies proved that crystallinity of chitosan has been diminished after Schiff base formation and metal complexation of L. Thermal and surface properties of the complexes have been also discussed from the investigation of their TG–DTG curves and SEM images, respectively. In addition, the catalytic efficiency of these complexes has been studied in the cyclohexane oxidation reaction using H2O2 as oxidant at 70 °C.