Synthesis, characterization and catecholase-like activity of new Schiff base metal complexes derived from visnagin: Theoretical and experimental study

A new tetradentate, unsymmetrical Schiff base ligand (H2L) containing a donor set of N2O2 and its mononuclear Cu(II) and Fe(II) complexes ([CuL] and [FeL]), were synthesized and characterized on the basis of their elemental analysis, FT-IR, Raman, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra, electronic and mass spectra, molar conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed in order to clarify molecular structures, 1H NMR and 13C NMR chemical shift values, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), nonlinear optical properties and map of molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of the title molecules. In agreement with trials, the results provide a full explanation of the highest efficiency observed for the compounds in relation to the electronic and the structural characteristics. The catecholase-like activity of the complexes toward the oxidation of 3,5-ditert-butylcatechol (3,5-DTBC) to the corresponding quinone showed that both complexes have moderate catalytic activity. [FeL] shows higher activity (k(cat) = 26.4 h(-1)) than that of [CuL] (k(cat) = 23.4 h(-1)). (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.