Mn(II) and VO(IV) Schiff base complexes encapsulated in nanocavities of zeolite-Y: catalytic activity toward oxidation of alkenes and reduction of aldehydes

Oxovanadium(IV) and manganese(II) complexes of two Schiff base ligands, bis(2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone)-1,2-propandiimine (H2L1) and bis(2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone)-ethylenediimine (H2L2) were synthesized and characterized. The encapsulation of these complexes in the nanocavities of zeolite-Y was achieved by a flexible ligand method. The prepared heterogeneous catalysts have been characterized by FTIR, NMR and atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns, scanning electron microscopy and BET. The catalytic activities of the encapsulated complexes were studied in the oxidation of alkenes with H2O2 and the reduction of aldehydes with NaBH4. In most cases, the manganese (II) complexes (MnL1-Y, MnL2-Y) showed better activity than the oxovanadium (IV) complexes (VOL1-Y, VOL2-Y) in both oxidation of alkenes and reduction of aldehydes. The catalytic activity of the recovered catalysts was compared with the fresh ones.