Synthesis, structure and alkene epoxidation activity of an alternating phenoxido and formato bridged manganese(III)–salen complex

One new complex of Mn(III), {[Mn2(salen)2(HCOO)](ClO4)(1.5CH3OH)(0.5H2O)}n (1) has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. It consists of dinuclear cationic units [Mn2(salen)2(HCOO)]+, joined together by weak Mn⋯O (phenoxido) interactions to form an alternating phenoxido- and formato-bridged 1D polymer. The complex acts as an efficient catalyst in the alkene ((E)-stilbene, styrene) epoxidation reaction in presence of the terminal oxidant PhIO in solvents CH3CN and CH2Cl2 independently and it retains its reactivity with high efficiency beyond three cycles.