Synthesis, Characterization and Crystal Structures of Nitrate and Tetrachloridocobalt(II) Salts of Cobalt(III) Complexes with Catalytic Epoxidation of Cyclooctene

Two new cobalt(III) complexes, [CoL2]NO3 (1) and [CoL2]2[CoCl4] (2), where L is 5-bromo-2-(((2-isopropylamino) ethyl)imino)methyl)phenolate, have been prepared and characterized by physico-chemical methods and single crystal X-ray analysis. X-ray analysis indicated that the Co atoms in both complexes are in octahedral coordination except for that in [CoCl4] unit which in a tetrahedral coordination. Crystal structures of complexes are stabilized by hydrogen bonds and π···π interactions. Catalytic property of both cobalt complexes was studied on the epoxidation of cyclooctene with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as oxidant. Both complexes show good catalytic activity and high epoxides selectivity.