Synthesis of Cobalt(III), Iron(III), and Chromium(III) Complexes with Salicylaldiminato Ligands: Evaluation of the Complexes as Catalysts for Oxidation of L-Cysteine

A series of new cobalt(III)-, iron(III)-, and chromium(III)-based complexes of the general formula [M(N∩O) Cl] (N∩O: N-salicylidene(X)amine and sodium N-(4-sulfonatosalicylidene(X)amine)) (X = cyclohexyl and 1-naphthyl) was prepared and characterized. Some of the isolated complexes have been evaluated as catalysts for the oxidation of L-cysteine. Preliminary results show that the rate of oxidation of L-cysteine is influenced by the nature of the metal center, the geometry of the complex, the auxiliary substituents, and the backbone of the ligand.