Synthesis, crystal structures, and superoxide dismutase activity of two isostructural copper(II)-zinc(II) complexes derived from N,N '-bis(4-methoxysalicylidene) cyclohexane-1,2-diamine

Two new isostructural copper(II)-zinc(II) complexes, [CuZnLBr2] (1) and [CuZnLCl2] (2) (H2L = N,N'-bis(4-methoxysalicylidene)cyclohexane-1,2-diamine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both complexes crystallize in the P-1 space group. The Cu in each complex is four-coordinate square planar with two imines and two phenolates of L. The Zn in each complex is four-coordinate tetrahedral with two phenolates of L and two halides (Br for 1 and Cl for 2). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the complexes indicates that both complexes are rudimentary models for SOD.