Multidentate unsymmetrically-substituted Schiff bases and their metal complexes: Synthesis, functional materials properties, and applications to catalysis

Xiang Liu, Carolina Manzur, Néstor Novoa, Salvador Celedón, David Carrillo, Jean René Hamon

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

264 Scopus citations

Abstract

This review focuses on the recent developments of unsymmetrically-substituted multidentate Schiff bases whose steric and electronic characteristics are easily manipulated by selecting suitable condensing aldehydes or ketones and primary amines, and on their metal complexes. After a brief historical introduction, this manuscript is divided in three main sections. In the two first parts, the synthesis, reactivity, functions, and properties of tridentate Schiff base precursors and of quadridentate Schiff base metal complexes, respectively, are discussed through a literature survey including examples of research from the authors’ groups. More specifically, the second section is formed of seven subsections with the synthesis of unsymmetrically-substituted tetradentate Schiff bases and their transition metal (V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ru, Pd, Pt) and uranyl complexes. Emphasis is given to our research work based on ferrocenyl-containing tri- and tetradentate unsymmetrically-substituted Schiff base complexes of Ni(II) and Cu(II) starting from variously substituted ferrocenyl-β-diketones. The unsymmetrically-substituted Schiff base complexes present a wide range of remarkable properties that are also summarized in this section, including structural, biocidal, magnetic, and second-order nonlinear optical properties. The third section is devoted to the catalytic activity of Schiff base metal complexes that is discussed through thirteen major organic reactions, including copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), Henry and nitro-Mannich reactions, hydrosilylation of ketones, aldol, cyclopropanation and epoxidation reactions, among others.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)144-172
Number of pages29
JournalCoordination Chemistry Reviews
Volume357
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Feb 2018

Keywords

  • Catalysis
  • Nonlinear optics
  • Transition metals
  • Unsymmetrically-substituted Schiff base complexes
  • Unsymmetrically-substituted tetradentate Schiff base ligands

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