Synthesis and Characterisation of New Transition Metal Complexes of Schiff Bases Derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2- carboxaldehyde and Application of Some ofthese Complexes as Hydrogenation and Oxidation Catalysts

The thesis deals with studies on the synthesis, characterisation and catalytic applications of some new transition metal complexes of the Schiff bases derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline 2-carboxaldehyde.. Schiff bases which are considered as ‘privileged ligands’ have the ability to stabilize different metals in different oxidation states and thus regulate the performance of metals in a large variety of catalytic transformations. The catalytic activity of the Schiff base complexes is highly dependant on the environment about the metal center and their conformational flexibility. Therefore it is to be expected that the introduction of bulky substituents near the coordination sites might lead to low symmetry complexes with enhanced catalytic properties. With this view new transition metal complexes of Schiff bases derived from 3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde have been synthesised. These Schiff bases have more basic donor nitrogen atoms and the presence of the quinoxaline ring may be presumed to build a favourable topography and electronic environment in the immediate coordination sphere of the metal. The aldehyde was condensed with amines 1,8-diaminonaphthalene, 2,3-diaminomaleonitrile, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, 2-aminophenol and 4-aminoantipyrine to give the respective Schiff bases. The oxovanadium(IV), copper(II) and ruthenium(II)complexes of these Schiff bases were synthesised and characterised. All the oxovanadium(IV) complexes have binuclear structure with a square pyramidal geometry. Ruthenium and copper form mononuclear complexes with the Schiff base derived from 4- aminoantipyrine while binuclear square planar complexes are formed with the other Schiff bases. The catalytic activity of the copper complexes was evaluated in the hydroxylation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Catechol and hydroquinone are the major products. Catalytic properties of the oxovanadium(IV) complexes were evaluated in the oxidation of cyclohexene with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. Here allylic oxidation products rather than epoxides are formed as the major products. The ruthenium(II) complexes are found to be effective catalysts for the hydrogenation of benzene and toluene. The kinetics of hydrogenation was studied and a suitable mechanism has been proposed.

Structural, EPR and Antimicrobial Studies on Some Transition Metal Complexes of Thiosemicarbazones

Department of Applied chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Investigations on some Y-Zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes of Schiff bases

Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Catalysis by sulphated tin oxide modified with some transition metal oxides

In the present work, we have tried to evaluate systematically the surface properties of sulphated tin oxide systems modified with three different transition metal oxides viz. iron oxide, tungsten oxide and molybdenum oxide. The catalytic activities of these systems are checked and compared by carrying out some industrially important reactions such as oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene and Friedel-Crafts reactions.

New supported transition metal complexes: synthesis, characterization and application as catalysts for oxidation/hydrodesulphurization reactions

This thesis deals with the synthesis and charcterisation of some supported transition metal complexes and their catalytic properties. Two industrially important reactions were carried out: i) cyclohexanol oxidation and ii) hydrodesulphurization of diesel. Thesis is divided into nine chapters. An overview of the heterogenised homogeneous systems is given in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 deals with the materials and methods used for the preparation and characterisation. Details regarding the synthesis and characterisation of zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes are given in Chapter 3 to Chapter 7. In Chapter 8, the results of catalytic activity studies of the cyclohexanol oxidation using the zeolite encapsulated complexes are presented. Details of preparation of hydrodesulphurization catalysts through the molecular designed dispersion method, their characterization and catalytic activity studies are presented in Chapter 9. References are given at the end of the thesis.

Studies on some supported transition metal complex and metal oxide catalysts for oxidation reactions

Zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes have received wide attention as an effective heterogenized system that combines the tremendous activity of the metal complexes and the attractive features of the zeolite structure. Zeolite encapsulated complexes offer a bright future for attempts to replace homogeneous systems retaining its catalytic activity and minimizing the technical problems. especially for the partial oxidation of organic compounds. Studies on some zeolite encapsulated transition metal complexes are presented in this thesis. The ligands selected are technically important in a bio-mimetic or structural perspective. Attempts have been made in this study to investigate the composition, structure and stability of encapsulated complexes using available techniques. The catalytic activity of encapsulated complexes was evaluated for the oxidation of some organic compounds. The recycling ability of the catalyst as a result of the encapsulation was also studied.Our studies on Cu-Cr/Al2O3, a typical metal oxide catalyst. illustrate the use of design techniques to modify the properties of such conventional catalysts. The catalytic activity of this catalyst for the oxidation of carbon monoxide was measured. The effect of additives like Ce02 or Ti02 on the activity and stability of this system was also investigated. The additive is potent to improve the activity and stability ofthe catalyst so as to be more effective in commercial usage.

Preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline transition metal-loaded sulfated titania through sol-gel method

Transition metal-loaded (3%) nanocrystalline sulfated titania (ST) powders are prepared using the sol–gel technique. Anatase is found as the active phase in all the samples. Sulfate ion impregnation decreases the crystallite size and stabilizes the anatase phase of TiO2. Acidity of the samples is found to increase by the incorporation of sulfate ion and also by the modification by transition metal ions. All the prepared catalysts are found stable up to 700 °C.

Studies on catalysis by transition metal promoted sulphated zirconia

The present project was a systematic investigation of the physico-chemical properties and catalytic activity of some transition metal promoted sulphated zirconia systems. The characterisation and catalytic activity results were compared with that of pure Zr02 and simple sulphated zirconia systems. Sulphated zirconia samples were prepared by a controlled impregnation technique. In the case of metal incorporated systems, a single step impregnation was carried out using required amounts of sulphuric acid and metal salt solutions. As a preliminary step, optimisation of calcination temperature and sulphate content was achieved. For further studies, the optimised sulphate loading of 10 ml per gram of hydrous zirconium oxide and a calcination temperature of 700°C was employed. Metal incorporation had a positive influence on the physico-chemical properties. Vapour phase cumene conversion served as a test reaction for acidity. Some industrially important reactions like Friedel-Crafts reaction, phenol hydroxylation, nitration, etc. were selected to test the catalytic activity of the prepared systems.

DNA Interaction and Catalytic Activity Studies of Some New Transition Metal Complexes of Schiff Bases Derived from Quinoxaline

In this thesis we report the synthsis and characterisation of new transition metal complexes of Pd(II),Cu(II),Ru(II) and Ir(III) of Schiff bases derived from quinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde/3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2-carboxaldehyde and 5-aminoindazole.6-aminoindazole or 8-aminoquinoline.The complexes have been characterised by spectral and analytical data.Pd(II) and Cu(II) form square planar complexes and Ru(III) and Ir(III) form ctahedral complexes with these Schiff bases.The DNA binding properties of theses synthesised complexes have been studied by various methods including electronic absoption spectroscopy,cyclic voltammetry,different pulse voltammetry and circular dichroism spectra were used.Gel electrophoresis experiments were also performed to investigate the DNA cleavage of theses complexes.Furthermore Ru(III) and Ir(III) complexes find application as oxidation and hydogenation catalsts. The studies on catalytic activities has been presented.The metal complexes presented in this thesis assure significance as they contribute to the development of new DNA binding agents and antibacterial and anticancer drugs.

Spectral studies and crystal structures of some transition metal complexes of N4-substituted semicarbazones

The present work is concentrated on the studies of two novel semicarbazones, di-2-pyridyl ketone-N4-phenyl-3-semicarbazone (HL1) and quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde-N4-phenyl-3-semicarbazone (HL2). The compositions of these semicarbazones were determined by the CHN analyses. For the characterization of these compounds we have used IR, UV and NMR spectral studies. The molecular structure of quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde-N4-phenyl-3- semicarbazone (HL2) was obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Also, we have synthesized Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) complexes of these semicarbazones, HL1 and HL2. These complexes were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, magnetic and conductivity studies. We could isolate single crystals of some Zn(II) and Cd(II) compounds suitable for X-ray diffraction studies. For other complexes we could not isolate single crystals of good quality for single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.

Transition metal complexes of quinoxaline based Schiff base ligands: Synthesis,characterization and catalytic activity study

Schiff base complexes of transition metal ions have played a significant role in coordination chemistry.The convenient route of synthesis and thermal stability of Schiff base complexes have contributed significantly for their possible applications in catalysis,biology,medicine and photonics.Significant variations in cataltytic activity with structure and type are observed for these complexes.The thesis deals with synthsis and characterization of transition metal complexes of quinoxaline based Schiff base ligands and their catalytic activity study.The Schiff bases synthesized in the present study are quinoxaline-2-carboxalidine-2-amino-5-methylphenol,3-hydroxyquinoxaline-2-carboxalidine-2-amino-5-methylphenol,quinoxaline-2-aminothiophenol.They provide great structural diversity during complexation.To the best of our knowledge, the transition metal complexes of quinoxaline based Schiff bases are poorly utilised in academic and industrial research.

Transition metal and rare earth metal modified sol-gel titania: a versatile catalyst for organic transformations

Catalysis is a mature field with extensive practical applications in today's society.indeed,the catalysis of petroleum refining,fine chemical synthesis and emission control demands the production of catalysts in bulk quantities.Future improvement of these well established processes is likely to be incremental.On the other hand,the continuous demand for new products will require additional novel and innovative processes.The need for pollution abatement and prevention also imposes new demands on catalysis, and new processes are periodically advanced for the control of emission of gases as well as for remediation processes such as the cleaning of underground waters. The number of problems where catalysis can have a big impact is constantly growing.In general,science stimulated by the technology has enriched the field of catalysis in a way that has had broad and lasting value.The thesis"Transition metal and rare earth metal modified sol-gel titania: a versatile catalyst for organic transformations" accounts the preparation and characterization studies of both transition metals and rare earth metals modified sol-gel titania and its applications in industrially useful organic reactions.

Transition Metal Complexes of Schiff Bases with Azide and Thiocyanate as Coligands:Spectral and Structural Investigations

Metallo-organic chemistry,incorporating the frontiers of both inorganic and organic chemical aspects,is a topic of utility concern.The first exploration of coordinated metal complexes dates back to the ninettenth century,during the days of Alfred Werner.Thereafter,inorganic chemistry witnessed a great outflow of coordination compounds,with unique structural characteristics and diverse applicatons.The diversity in structures exhibited by the coordination complexes of multidentate ligands have led to their usage as sensors,models for enzyme mimetic centers,medicines etc.The liganda chosen are of prime importance in determining the properties of coordination compounds.Schiff bases are compounds obtained by the condensation of an aidehyde or ketone with an amine.The chemical properties of Schiff bases and their complexes are widely explored in recent years owing to their pharmacological activity,their catalytic activities and so on.On the other hand pseudohalides like azide and thiocyanate are versatile candidates for the construction of dimeric or polymeric complexes having excellent properties and diverse applications.So a combination of the Schiff bases and the pseudohalogens for the synthesis of metal complexes can bring about interesting results.An attempt into this area is the besis of this Ph.D theis.

Catalysis by Transition Metal Modified Ceria and Ceria-Zirconia Mixed Oxides Prepared via Sol-Gel Route

The aim of catalysis research is to apply the catalyst successfully in economically important reactions in an environmentally friendly way. The present work focuses on the modification of structural and surface properties of ceria and ceria-zirconia catalysts by the incorporation of transition metals. The applications of these catalysts in industrially important reactions like ethylbenzene oxidation, alkylation of aromatics are also investigated.Sol-gel method is effective for the preparation of transition metal modified ceria and ceria-zirconia mixed oxide since it produces catalyst with highly dispersed incorporated metal. Unlike that of impregnation method plugging of pores is not prominent for sol-gel derived catalyst materials. This prevents loss of surface area on metal modification as evident for BET surface area measurements.The powder X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the cubic structure of transition metal modified ceria and ceria-zirconia catalysts. The thermal stability is evident from TGA/DTA analysis. DR UV-vis spectra provide information on the coordination environment of the incorporated metal. EPR analysis ofCr, Mn and Cu modified ceria and a ceria-zirconia catalyst reveals the presence of different oxidation states of incorporated metal.Temperature programmed desorption of ammonia and thermogravimetric desorption of 2,6-dimethyl pyridine confirms the enhancement of acidity on metal incorporation. High a-methyl styrene selectivity in cumene cracking reaction implies the presence of comparatively more number of Lewis acid sites with some amount of Bronsted acid sites. The formation of cyclohexanone during cyclohexanol decomposition confirms the presence of basic sites on the catalyst surface.Mn and Cr modified catalysts show better activity towards ethylbenzene oxidation. A redox mechanism through oxometal pathway is suggested.All the catalysts were found to be active towards benzylation of toluene and a-xylene. The selectivity towards monoalkylated products remains almost 100%. The catalytic activity is correlated with the Lewis acidity of the prepared systems.The activity of the catalysts towards methylation of phenols depends on the strength acid sites as well as the redox properties of the catalysts. A strong dependence of methylation activity on the total acidity is illustrated.