Olefin epoxidation catalysed by Schiff-base complexes of Mn and Ni in heterogenised-homogeneous systems

M(salen) complexes (M=Mn(III), Ni(II); salen=bis-(salicyldene)ethylenediamine) have been encapsulated in zeolite Y and characterised. Mn(salen)+ complex was also anchored in montmorillonite clay and characterised. Epoxidation of olefins, viz. cyclohexene, cyclooctene and 1-hexene with terminal oxidants (NaOCl, KHSO5) was carried out with the anchored catalyst complexes and found that the epoxidation of linear olefin (1-hexene) is selectively facile than cyclic olefins. Experimental results are compared with those reported for M(salen) complexes catalysed olefin epoxidation in homogeneous and heterogenised-homogeneous catalytic conditions.