A series of oligomeric (salen)Mn(III) complexes featuring tartrate linkers were prepared and immobilized over layered double hydroxide, and then used as catalysts for asymmetric epoxidation of unfunctionalized olefins. Comprehensive characterizations including 1H NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, elemental analysis, GPC, and ICP-AES were used to illustrate structures of oligomeric (salen)Mn(III) complexes, while powdered XRD, nitrogen physisorption, together with XPS studies provided further details to detect structures of heterogeneous catalysts. Interestingly, scanning electron microscopy found an interesting morphology change during modification of layered supporting material. Catalytic experiments indicated that configuration of major epoxide products was determined by salen chirality more than that of tartrate linker, but enantioselectivity (e.e. values) could be enhanced when tartrate and salen showed identical chiral configurations. Furthermore, the (R,R)-salen moieties linked with (R,R)-tartrate spacers usually offered higher enantioselectivity compared to other combinations. Lastly, Zn(II)/Al(III) layered double hydroxide played as a rigid supporting material in catalysis, showing positive chiral induction and high recycling potential in catalytic reactions.
Keywords: (tartrate-salen)Mn(III); asymmetric epoxidation; enantioselectivity; immobilization; layered double hydroxide.