Synthesis, characterization and oxidase catalytic activity of vanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes with Schiff base ligands derived from β-diketones

New complexes of vanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(IV) with Schiff base ligands derived from β-diketones and ethanolamine or o-aminophenol have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, electrical conductance, magnetic moment measurements, and by i.r., u.v.–vis. and e.p.r. spectroscopy. A distorted octahedral environment was proposed for the vanadium(IV) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes. The spectroscopic results were utilized to compute the important ligand field parameters. Three adduct complexes were isolated owing to the interaction of one oxovanadium complex with Lewis-bases in MeOH. Vanadium(IV) complexes exhibit promising catalytic activity towards the aerobic oxidation of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) to the corresponding semi-oxidized form (PPD+). A linear correlation exists between the oxidase catalytic activity and the Lewis acidity of the central vanadium(IV) ion created by the donating properties of the parent ligand.