Synthesis and properties of copper quinonoid complexes for optical recording application

We describe the synthesis of novel quinonemonimines Cu(II) coordination complexes, of the type: [Cu{C6H2(=NCH2(CH2)(n)X)O(=O)(NHCH2(CH2)(n)X))}(2)] which, in addition to their intrinsic interest, have potential application in optical recording. The following key parameters have been highlighted: (i) the presence of coordinating arms on the quinonoid core of the ligand leads to octahedral complexes with increased solubility, (ii) the presence of Cu(II) as a metal centre leads to a favourable exothermic decomposition, (iii) the presence of quinonoid moieties results in the optical absorption to be in the desired wavelength range.