Synthesis, characterization and physicochemical properties of copper(II) complexes containing salicylaldehyde semicarbazone

Copper(II) complexes containing a series of salicylaldehyde semicarbazone ligands have been prepared and characterized by a range of physicochemical techniques. The X-ray structure of [Cu(HBnZ(2))Cl] . H2O (5) (where HBnz(2) is salicylaldehyde-N,N-dibenzyl semicarbazone) shows the complex is monomeric and the copper atom is four coordinated in a distorted square planar geometry. The ligand chelates the copper in a tridentate fashion through the imine N, carbonyl O and phenolato O with the fourth position being occupied by coordinated Cl. The compound [Cu(Ph-2) . H2O] (4) (where Ph-2 is salicylaldehyde-N,N-diphenyl semicarbazone) is also formulated as a monomer whereas all other complexes are assumed to have a side-by-side dimeric arrangement of the metal chelating with the phenolate bridging the Cu(II) centres. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.