A novel copper(II)-Schiff base complex containing pyrrole ring: Synthesis, characterization and its modified electrodes applied in oxidation of aliphatic alcohols

A new copper(II) complex Cu(II)-L containing N2O2 donor atoms has been prepared from 6-[3′-(N-pyrrol)propoxy]-2-hydroxyacetophenone and diaminoethane in the presence of copper acetate monohydrate. It was characterized by spectroscopic methods such as FT-IR, UV–vis, mass spectra, elemental analysis and cyclic voltammetry. The molecular structure of Cu(II)-L has also been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrochemical behavior of copper(II)-Schiff base complex containing pyrrol groups has been investigated in DMF and acetonitrile solutions using cyclic voltammetry. Thus, conducting polymeric films of polypyrrole were obtained on the surfaces of glassy carbon and ITO electrodes using copper(II) complex as monomer. The modified electrodes were electrochemically and morphologically characterized and their electrocatalytic properties in heterogeneous phase have also been investigated. The AFM studies show that the morphology of polypyrrole (PPy) films on ITO-electrodes depends on the number of cyclical scans. The electrocatalytic performances of this complex seem to be more efficient towards the electro-oxidation of isopropylic alcohol than any other kinds of alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and benzyl alcohol. The electro-reduction of carbon dioxide was also examined.