Schiff base complexes of vanadium(III, IV, V) as catalysts for the electroreduction of O2 to H2O in acetonitrile.

Fifteen Schiff base ligands were synthesized and used to form complexes with vanadium in oxidation states III, IV, and V. Electrochemical and spectral characteristics of the complexes were evaluated and compared. In acidified solutions in acetonitrile the vanadium(IV) complexes undergo reversible disproportionation to form V(III) and V(V) complexes. With several of the ligands the V(III) complexes are much more stable in the presence of acid than is the previously studied complex with salen, an unelaborated Schiff base ligand (H(2) salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneamine)). Equilibrium constants for the disproportionation were evaluated. The vanadium(III) complexes reduce dioxygen to form two oxo ligands. The reaction is stoichiometric in the absence of acid, and second-order rate constants were evaluated. In the presence of acid some of the complexes investigated participate in a catalytic electroreduction of dioxygen.