Cobalt complexes are the most widely used drying catalysts
for oxidative air-drying of alkyd paints. However, several
reports have been published describing the possible carcinogenicity
of cobalt salts and cobalt complexes [1,2]. Some
commercial paint formulations contain manganese carboxylate
as a primary drier, even though these do not have the same
performance as cobalt-based driers [3,4]. This has initiated a
search to find alternatives for cobalt complexes as drying catalysts
in alkyd paint [5–10]