{2,2′-[1,1′-(4-Azaheptane-1,7-diyldinitrilo)diethylidyne]diphenolato}copper(II)

The quinquedentate ligand 2,2'-[1,10-(4-azaheptane-1,7-diyldinitrilo) diethylidyne] diphenol in the title compound, [Cu( C22H27N3O2)], furnishes an N3O2 donor set, which results in a distorted square-pyramidal coordination; the two O and two imine N atoms lie in the basal plane, while the secondary amine N atom of the ligand occupies the axial position. The axial Cu - N bond is 0.33 angstrom longer than the average of the equatorial bonds, and the O atoms are trans. The symmetry of the molecule is lowered by the twist - boat and chair conformations adopted by the two CuNN chelate rings. The complex contains two intramolecular C - H center dot center dot center dot O interactions, and two molecules of the complex are linked into a dimer by means of moderate N - H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds. Spectroscopic evidence supports the presence of hydrogen bonds.