Characterization and biomimetic study of a hydroxo-bridged dinuclear phenanthroline cupric complex encapsulated in mesoporous silica: models for catechol oxidase.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a hydroxo-bridged dinuclear phenanthroline cupric complex, [(phen)2Cu-OH-Cu(phen)2](ClO4)) (HPC, phen = phenanthroline), dispersed in molecular sieves: MCM-41's and sodium zeolite Y. We employed spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR, UV-visible, EPR, and EXAFS) to characterize and study the catalytic activities of immobilized HPC in the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (DTBC) to the corresponding quinone (3,5-di-tert-butylquinone, DTBQ) to mimic the functionality of catechol oxidases. HPC complexes can adsorb only on the outside surface of the Y zeolite due to its smaller pore size.