A series of L-histidine Schiff bases that include Sal-His( H2L^1 ), Br-Sal-His( H2L^2 ), NO2-Sal-His (H2L^3) and their Cu ( Ⅱ ) complexes were synthesized, and the catalytic behavior of Schiff-base-Cu for the oxidation of β-ionone to 4-oxo-β-ionone as well as the effects of substitutents on these properties were examined. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, molar ratio of catalyst to β-ionone, the amount of pyridine additive and O2 pressure on the catalytic activity of the various catalysts were optimized and a proba...