Impact of Thiocyanate on the Catecholase Activity of Cu(II) and Fe(III) Complexes of 2-((4-(2-Hydroxy-4-Methylbenzyl)Piperazin-1-YL)Methyl)-5-Methylphenol (A Mannich Base)

Abstract Four metal complexes viz Cu(II) and Fe(III) with or without thiocyanate have been synthesized from a Mannich base prepared by a simple synthetic route. These complexes were characterized by elemental and spectroscopic techniques. Bonding modes of the thiocyanate group with the metal complexes as studied by infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of bridging N- and S- bonding modes. Detailed kinetic studies of these complexes were carried in the evaluation of their catecholase activity. The Fe(III) complex demonstrated the highest catalytic activity using 3,5-di-tert-butyl catechol (3,5-DTBC) as substrate with a turnover rate (kcat) of 112.32 h−1.