Abstract

Binuclear copper(II) complexes of the ligands 3,6-bis(di-2-pyridylmethyl)pyridazine (bdpdz) and 3.6-bis[(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)(2- pyridyl)methyl]pyridazine (mbdpdz), Cu2LX4 (X = Cl, Br) were prepared and characterized by UV-visible spectra, conductivity acid voltammetry. These complexes were used as a catalyst for the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone. The reaction rate was determined in the presence and absence of a base (KOH) in methanol. The kinetic data are interpreted postulating one reactive species towards molecular oxygen: a copper (I) complex, which is generated by a redox equilibrium between the binuclear copper(II) complex and the substrate. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.