Synthesis and characterization of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) complexes with N-thiophosphorylated thioureas RC(S)NP(S)(OiPr)2 (R = MeNH, 2-MeC6H4NH, 2,6-Me2C6H3NH, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2NH, 2-Py(6-Me)NH)

Reaction of the potassium salts of N-thiophosphorylthioureas RC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)(2) (R = MeNH, He-I; 2-MeC6H4NH, HLII; 2,6-Me2C6H3NH, HLIII; 2,4,6-Me3C6H2NH, HLIV; 2-Py(6-Me)NH, HLV) with Zn(II) and Cd(II) in aqueous EtOH leads to the complexes [Zn(LI-V-S,S')(2)] ([ZnL2I-V]) and [Cd(LI-V-S,S')(2)] ([CdL2I-V]). Reaction of the potassium salt KLV with Ni(II) in aqueous EtOH leads to the complex [Ni(2-Py(6-Me)NHC(S)NP(S)(OiPr)(2)-N(Py),N(P),S)(2)] ([NiL2V]), where the metal cation is coordinated by two deprotonated ligands L-V through the pyridine and phosphorylamide nitrogen atoms, and the P=S sulfur atoms. The structures of the new complexes were studied by NMR spectroscopy; their compositions were examined by microanalysis. The molecular structure of [ZnL2V] was elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The metal center is found in a tetrahedral S-4 environment formed by the C=S and P=S sulfur atoms of two deprotonated ligands L-V. The colorless and air/moisture stable chelate complexes of divalent zinc and cadmium show blue emission in the solid state when excited with UV light. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.