Catalytic activities of Schiff base transition metal complexes

Many Schiff base complexes of metal ions show high catalytic activity. Chiral Schiff base complexes are more selective in various reactions such as oxidation, hydroxylation, aldol condensation and epoxidation. The catalytic activity of metal complexes of binaphthyl, binaphthol and their combinations with salen Schiff base is presented in this review. The pyridyl bis(imide) and pyridine bis(imine) complexes of cobalt(II), iron(II) ions have been used as catalysts in the polymerization of ethylene and propylene. The phenoxy-imine (FI) complexes of zirconium, titanium and vanadium and Schiff base complexes of nickel(II) and palladium(II) were also used as catalysts in the polymerization of ethylene. Schiff base complexes of metal ions were catalytic in ring opening polymerization processes at low temperature. Schiff base complexes also catalyzed the oxidation of sulfides, thioanisoles, aldehydes, phenol and styrene. Schiff base complexes in super critical carbon dioxide (ScCO2) and in the presence of polar solvents were active catalysts. Schiff base complexes showed significant activity in catalyzing allylic alkylations, hydrosilation, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, isomerization, and annulation and carbonylation reactions. The high thermal and moisture stabilities of many Schiff base complexes were useful attributes for their application as catalysts in reactions involving at high temperature.