Four manganese(III)-Schiff base complexes (1–4) of formula [MnLⁿ(H₂O)₂]₂(ClO₄)₂·mH₂O (n = 1–4; m = 0, 1) have been prepared. The multidentate H₂Lⁿ Schiff base ligands consist of 3R,5R-substituted N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-diimino-2,2-dimethylethane, where R = OEt, OMe, Br or Cl. The complexes have been thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, UV, paramagnetic ¹H NMR and EPR spectroscopies. Other properties, including redox studies and molar conductivity measurements, have also been assessed. The crystal structure of 1 was solved by X-ray diffraction, which revealed the dimeric nature of the compound through μ-aqua bridges. The ability of these complexes to split water has been studied by water photolysis experiments, with the oxygen evolution measured in aqueous media in the presence of a hydrogen acceptor (p-benzoquinone), the reduction of which was followed by UV-spectroscopy. The discussion of the photolytic behaviour includes advances in the knowledge of the structural motifs and the chemical activity of this type of complex, as revealed by the development of several characterization techniques in the last decade. Parallel-mode Mn^III EPR shows that complexes 1–4 not only mimic reactivity but also share some structural characteristics from partially assembled natural OEC clusters.

Kraft pulp has to be bleached to eliminate the chromophoric structures, which cause a darkening of the pulp. In Nature, an equivalent role is assumed by ligninolytic enzymes such as lignin peroxidases, manganese peroxidases and laccases. The development of low molecular weight manganese peroxidase mimics may achieve environmentally-safe bleaching catalysts for the industry. Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of six manganese(III) complexes 1–6, incorporating dianionic hexadentate Schiff base ligands (H₂L¹-H₂L⁴) and different anions. Complex 4, Mn₂L²₂(H₂O)₂(DCA)₂ was crystallographically characterized. Complexes 1–4 behave as more efficient mimics of peroxidase in contrast to 5–6. We have studied the use of these complexes as catalysts for the degradation of the lignin model compound veratryl alcohol. The biomimetic catalysts were used in conjunction with chlorine-free inexpensive co-oxidants as dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide. Yields up to 30% of veratryl alcohol conversion to veratraldehyde have been achieved at room temperature in presence of air flow using 0.5% of catalyst.

Five Mn(III) nitrate complexes have been synthesized from dianionic hexadentate Schiff bases obtained by the condensation of 3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with different diamines. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, ESI mass spectrometry, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, r. t. magnetic, and molar conductivity measurements. Parallel-mode EPR spectroscopy of 1 is also reported. Ligand H₂L³ and complexes [MnL¹(H₂O)₂](NO₃)(CH₃OH) (1), [MnL³(H₂O)₂]₂(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)(H₂O) (3), and [MnL⁴(H₂O)₂](NO₃)(H₂O)₂ (4) were crystallographically characterized. The X-ray structures show the self-assembly of the Mn(III)–Schiff base complexes through µ-aquo bridges between neighboring axial water molecules and also by π–π stacking interactions, establishing dimeric and polymeric structures. The peroxidase and catalase activities of the complexes have been studied. Complexes with the shorter spacer between the imine groups (1–2) behave as better peroxidase and catalase mimics, probably due to their ability to coordinate the hydrogen peroxide substrate to manganese.

The coordinative chemistry of the tridentate half-salen ligand 5-(dimethylamino)-N-(2-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenyl)naphthalene-1-sulfonamide (H₂L, 1) has been studied by means of an electrochemical method. All of the complexes have been characterised using analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Ligand 1 and two nickel (6 and 7), copper (9), zinc (12) and cadmium (14) metal complexes have been studied by crystallography. Complexes 6 and 7 are octahedral and tetrahedral nickel(II) complexes, respectively, and both contain an [L]²⁻ molecule that behaves in an [N₂O] tridentate manner. Nickel(II) completes its coordination kernel with three water molecules in complex 6, whereas in complex 7 the nickel ion is further bound to a molecule of dansylamine arising from a hydrolysis process. The copper(II) complex 9 is a monomeric compound that contains a bideprotonated ligand thread and a dimethylsulfoxide molecule coordinated through the sulfur atom. The zinc complex 12 is an unusual pentanuclear cluster compound whose structure consists of four anionic ligand units and two hydroxo anions bound to five zinc(II) centres. The appearance of the hydroxo anions in this complex provides new evidence for water reduction electrochemically promoted by zinc metal under mild conditions. The cadmium complex 14 is a dimeric compound that comprises two molecules of the anionic ligand and two dimethylsulfoxide molecules. The great structural variety exhibited by all these complexes demonstrates that the introduction of asymmetry in a salen skeleton by incorporating a dansyl pendant increases the versatility of the resulting ligand on coordination. All complexes are luminescent in solution at room temperature in acetonitrile solutions.