Anion directed templated synthesis of mono- and di-Schiff base complexes of Ni(II)

Abstract

Two sets of Schiff base ligands, set-1 and set-2 have been prepared by mixing the respective diamine (1,2-propanediamine or 1,3-propanediamine) and carbonyl compounds (2-acetylpyridine or pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde) in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios, respectively and employed for the synthesis of complexes with Ni(II) perchlorate and Ni(II) thiocyanate. Ni(II) perchlorate yields the complexes having general formula [NiL₂](ClO₄)₂ (L = L¹ [N¹-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 1, L² [N¹-pyridine-2-ylmethylene-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 2 or L³ [N¹-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,2-diamine] for complex 3) in which the Schiff bases are mono-condensed terdentate whereas Ni(II) thiocyanate results in the formation of tetradentate Schiff base complexes, [NiL](SCN)₂ (L = L⁴ [N,N′-bis-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 4, L⁵ [N,N′-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyline)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 5 or L⁶ [N,N′-bis-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,2-diamine] for complex 6) irrespective of the sets of ligands used. Formation of the complexes has been explained by anion modulation of cation templating effect. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral and electrochemical results. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm the structures of four representative members, 1, 3, 4 and 5; all of them have distorted octahedral geometry around Ni(II). The bis-complexes of terdentate ligands, 1 and 3 are the mer isomers and the complexes of tetradentate ligands, 4 and 5 possess trans geometry.