Synthesis, characterization and hydrogenation catalysis in biphasic medium (organic/water) of samarium (III) complex with glycine and 2,2-bipyridine ligands

Sm(bipy)(glycine)3 (bipy = 2,2-bipyridine) was synthesized by classic, microwave and mechanical methods. UV-Vis reveals a strong signal near 190 nm corresponding to a high energy Sm-O bond and f→f transitions. FT-IR spectra show a band between 490 - 450 cm -1 indicative of a Sm-O bond. TGA-DTA and MS analytical analysis, confirm the structural proposals. The samarium (III) complex was tested in 1-hexene hydrogenation, in biphasic media (cyclohexane/water) and the reaction parameters were optimized (time, temperature, substrate/catalyst ratio and H2 pressure). Catalyst showed 37.5 % conversion.