Structural, spectral studies and catalytic activity of copper (II) complex of valine-containing polymer

Abstract

A new copper complex of valine-containing polymer was prepared to mimic an active site center in the metalloenzymes. The valine containing polymer VPAV was prepared by modifying the vinyl pyridine-acrylamide copolymer. The polymer VPAV was investigated using IR, ¹H-nmr, and thermal analysis then, the structure was proposed based on the theoretical calculation. The copper complex Cu^II-VPAV was fully characterized by means of different physicochemical methods such as IR, electronic spectroscopy, EPR and thermal analysis. The catalyst Cu^II-VPAV was used in the oxidation of poly phenol trihydroxybenzene in the presence and absence of H₂O₂. The catalysis shows a catalytic efficiency of 1.2 × 10⁴ times in terms of first-order rate constant relative to auto-oxidation of the substrates in an aqueous environment in the presence of H₂O₂ and under mild conditions.

Key words; valine; copolymer; oxidation; polyphenol; modifying