Oxidation of phenyl propyne catalyzed by copper(II) complexes of a benzimidazolyl schiff base ligand: effect of acid/base, oxidant, surfactant and morphology.

Copper(II) complexes with a new N-Substituted benzimidazolyl schiff base ligand are used as catalyst for the oxidation of 1-phenyl propyne. The oxidation is carried out under mild conditions using stoichiometric amounts of oxidant and catalytic amounts of Cu(II) complex as catalyst. Effect of acid/base, oxidant, morphology and surfactant has been studied. Two major products of phenyl propyne oxidation are the α-diketonic product and a terminal aldehyde. Diketone is the major product under acidic conditions while aldehyde formation is highest under basic conditions. The maximum conversion is found with the NO3(-) bound complex. GC-MS is used to find the percentage yields of products. SEM and PXRD of the reused complexes as catalyst suggest that morphology affects the catalytic efficiency.