Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of novel Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) mixed ligand complexes with saccharin and nicotinamide

Four novel mixed ligand complexes of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) with saccharin and nicotinamide were synthesised and characterised on the basis of elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopic study, UV–Vis spectrometric and magnetic susceptibility data. The structure of the Cu (II) complex is completely different from those of the Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes. From the frequencies of the saccharinato CO and SO₂ modes, it has been proven that the saccharinato ligands in the structure of the Cu complex are coordinated to the metal ion ([Cu(NA)₂(Sac)₂(H₂O)], where NA — nicotinamide, Sac — saccharinato ligand or ion), whilst in the Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes are uncoordinated and exist as ions ([M(NA)₂(H₂O)₄](Sac)₂).     

Iron(III), cobalt(II,III), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 2-pyridineformamide 3-piperidylthiosemicarbazone

Reduction of 2-cyanopyridine by sodium in the presence of 3-piperidylthiosemicarbazide produces 2-pyridineformamide 3-piperidylthiosemicarbazone, HAmpip. Complexes with iron(III), cobalt(II,III) copper(II) and zinc(II) have been prepared and characterized by molar conductivities, magnetic susceptibilities and spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the crystal structures of HAmpip, [Fe(Ampip)₂]ClO₄, [Cu(HAmpip)Cl₂]·CH₃OH and [Zn(HAmpip)Br₂]·C₂H₆SO have been determined. Coordination is via the pyridyl nitrogen, imine nitrogen and thiolato or thione sulfur when coordinating as the anionic or neutral ligand, respectively.     

Salisaldehyde-2-aminobenzimidazole schiff base complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)

New metal complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with salicylidine-2-aminobenzimidazole (SABI) are synthesized and their physicochemical properties are investigated using elemental and thermal analyses, IR, conductometric, solid reflectance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The base reacts with these metal ions to give 1:1 (Metal:SABI) complexes; in cases of Fe(III), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions; and 1:2 (Metal:SABI) complexes; in case of Ni(II) ion. The conductance data reveal that Fe(III) complex is 2:1 electrolyte, Co(II) is 1:2 electrolyte, Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes are 1:1 electrolytes while Ni(II) is non-electrolyte. IR spectra showed that the ligand is coordinated to the metal ions in a terdentate mannar with O, N, N donor sites of the phenloic -OH, azomethine -N and benzimidazole -N3. Magnetic and solid reflectance spectra are used to infer the coordinating capacity of the ligand and the geometrical structure of these complexes. The thermal decomposition of the complexes is studied and indicates that not only the coordinated and/or crystallization water is lost but also that the decomposition of the ligand from the complexes is necessary to interpret the successive mass loss. Different thermodynamic activation parameters are also reported, using Coats-Redfern method. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel 4-nitro-2-(octyloxy)phenoxy substituted symmetrical and unsymmetrical Zn(II), Co(II) and Lu(III) phthalocyanines

Compounds 3 and 4 have been prepared by the reaction of 4-nitrocatechol 1 and 4-nitrophthalonitrile 2 by a common method, aromatic nucleophilic subtitution of the nitro group in 4-nitrophthalonitrile. Starting from 4 and 1-bromooctane, their alkylation reaction gave compound 5. Zn(II) 8, Co(II) 9 and Lu(III) 10 complexes were synthesized from the corresponding metal salts by the tetramerization of compound 5. Compound 7 was prepared by the statistical condensation of 5 and 4,5-bis(hexylthio)phthalonitrile 6 with CoCl₂ · 6H₂O in dry dimethylformamide. The new compounds were characterized by FT-IR, UV/Vis, NMR and mass spectra. The electrochemical properties of the complexes were also investigated by cyclic voltammetry in non-aqueous medium. The effect of temperature on the dc conductivity and the impedance spectra of spin coated film of the compounds was investigated at temperatures between 295 and 433 K and in the frequency range 40–10⁵ Hz. Thermally activated conductivity dependence on temperature was observed for all compounds.     

Synthesis, characterization and thermal investigation of M[M(C2O4)3]·xH2O (x=4 for M=Cr(III); x=2 for M=Sb(III) and x=9 for M=La(III))

The complexes, M[M(C₂O₄)₃]·xH₂ O, where x=4 for M=Cr(III), x=2 for M=Sb(III) and x=9 for M=La(III) have been synthesized and their thermal stability was investigated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and electronic spectral data, conductivity measurement and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The chromium(III)tris(oxalato)chromate(III)tetrahydrate (COT), Cr[Cr(C₂ O₄)₃]·4H₂O, released water in a stepwise fashion. Removal of the last trace of water was accompanied by a partial decomposition of the oxalate group. Thermal investigation using TG, DTG and DTA techniques in air produced Cr₂O₃ at 858°C through the intermediate formation of Cr₂O₃ and CrC₂O₄ at around 460°C. While DSC study in nitrogen up to 670°C produced a mixture of Cr₂O₃ and CrC₂O₄. In antimony(III)tris(oxalato)antimonate(III)dihydrate (AOD), Sb[Sb(C₂O₄)₃]·3H₂O the dehydration took place during the decomposition of precursor at 170–290°C and finally at ca. 610°C Sb₂ O₅ along with trace amounts of Sb₂O₄ were produced. Trace amount of Sb₂O₃ and Sb along with Sb₂O is proposed as the end product at 670°C of AOD in nitrogen. The oxide La₂O₃ is formed at 838°C from the study with TG, DTG and DTA in air of lanthanum(III)tris(oxalato)lanthanum(III)nonahydrate (LON), La[La(C₂O₄)₃]·9H₂O. Intermediate dioxycarbonate, La₂O₂CO₃ was generated at 526°C prior to its decomposition to lanthanum oxide in air; whereas in N₂ the formation of La₂(CO₃)₃ at 651°C was proposed. The thermal parameters have been evaluated for each step of the dehydration and decomposition of COT, AOD and LON using five non-mechanistic equations i.e. Flynn and Wall, Freeman and Carroll, Modified Freeman and Carroll, Coats–Redfern and MacCallum–Tanner equations. Kinetic parameters, such as, E^*, k_o, ΔH^*, ΔS^* etc. were also supplemented by DSC studies in nitrogen for all the three complexes. Some of the intermediate species have been identified by analytical and powder XRD studies. Tentative schemes has been proposed for the decomposition of all three compounds in air and nitrogen.     

Characterization and crystal structures of copper(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) complexes with two kinds of piperidine carboxylic acids

Copper(II) complex with -piperidine-3-carboxylic acid ( -Hpipe-3):[Cu( -pipe-3)₂(H₂O)] and cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes with piperidine-4-carboxylic acid (Hpipe-4):[M(Hpipe-4)₂(H₂O)₄]Cl₂ (M: Co, Ni) have been prepared and characterized by means of IR and powder diffuse reflection spectra, thermal analysis, and magnetic susceptibility. The crystal structures of these complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystal of [Cu( -pipe-3)₂(H₂O)] is orthorhombic with the space group Pbcn. The copper atom is in a square pyramidal geometry, ligated by two carboxylato oxygen atoms, two nitrogen atoms, and a water molecule. One molecule of this complex consists of either -piperidine-3-carboxylic acid or -piperidine-3-carboxylic acid. The crystals of [M(Hpipe-4)₂(H₂O)₄]Cl₂ are monoclinic with space group P2₁/n. In these complexes the metal atom is in an octahedral geometry ligated by two carboxylato oxygen atoms and four water molecules.     

Synthesis and characterization of iron(III), manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of salicylidene-N-anilinoacetohydrazone (H2L1) and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene-N-anilinoacetohydrazone (H2L2)

Salicylidene-N-anilinoacetohydrazone (H(2)L(1)) and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene-N-anilinoacetohydrazone (H(2)L(2)) and their iron(III), manganese(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by IR, electronic spectra, molar conductivities, magnetic susceptibilities and ESR. Mononuclear complexes are formed with molar ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 (M:L). The IR studies reveal various modes of chelation. The electronic absorption spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the iron(III), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of H(2)L(1) have octahedral geometry. While the cobalt(II) complexes of H(2)L(2) were separated as tetrahedral structure. The copper(II) complexes have square planar stereochemistry. The ESR parameters of the copper(II) complexes at room temperature were calculated. The g values for copper(II) complexes proved that the Cu-O and Cu-N bonds are of high covalency.     

Studies on some salicylaldehyde Schiff base derivatives and their complexes with Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II)

The formation constants of some transition metal ions Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) binary complexes containing Schiff bases resulting from condensation of salicylaldehyde with aniline (I), 2-aminopyridine (II), 4-aminopyridine (III) and 2-aminopyrimidine (IV) were determined pH-metrically in ethanolic medium (80%, v/v). The formation constants were determined for all binary complexes. The important infrared (IR) spectral bands corresponding to the active groups in the four ligands and the solid complexes under investigation were studied. The solid complexes have been synthesized and studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal dehydration and decomposition of these complexes were studied kinetically using the integral method applying the Coats-Redfern equation. It was found that the thermal decomposition of the complexes follow second order kinetics. The thermodynamic parameters of the decomposition are also reported. The electronic absorption spectra of the investigated ligands were carried out to determine the pK(a) values spectrophotometrically.     

Synthesis,characterization, density functional theory,thermal, antimicrobial efficacy,and DNA binding/cleavage studies of Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), and Pt(IV) complexes with a derivative of 2-hydroxyphenoxymethylfuran-5-carbaldehyde

In this study, Seven new complexes incorporating (E)-2-(((5-([2-hydroxyphenoxy]methyl)furan-2-yl)methylene)amino)phenol derived from 2-hydroxyphenoxymethylfuran-5-carbaldehyde and 2-aminophenol have been synthesized using Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), and Pt(IV) metal salts. Thermal measurements, molar conductance, magnetic moment, elemental analyses, spectral (IR, UV–Vis, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ESR, Mass), were used to characterize insulated solid complexes. The thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermoanalysis (DTA) of the complexes were carried out in the range of 30–900°C. Magnetic susceptibility and electronic spectral data, as well as quantum chemical calculations, reveal the square planar geometry for Ni (II) complex, square planar/octahedral geometry for Cu (II) complex, while Co(II), Zn(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), and Pt (IV) complexes are octahedral geometry. Density functional theory (DFT) studies revealed that geometries of metal complexes and Schiff base were entirely optimized in relation to use energy by 6–31 + g (d,p) basis set. The complexes show a well-defined crystal system indicated by a powder-X-ray diffraction pattern. The scanning electron microscope showed complexes were nanocrystalline in nature, in addition to the interaction of the complexes with calf thymus CT-DNA, which was investigated via the UV–visible absorption method. Therefore, the DNA cleavage activity by the H₂L ligand and its metal complexes was performed. Finally, the synthesized complexes were tested for their in-vitro antimicrobial efficacy.     

Efficient Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling triggered by MoO2 in Fenton reaction for the degradation of dye molecules and the reduction of Cr(VI)

In this work, we develop an inorganic cocatalyst of commercial MoO₂ application in Fenton reaction, which can significantly enhance the Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling efficiency to improve the oxidation activity for the remediation of Lissamine rhodamine B (L-RhB).     

Structural and spectroscopic properties of Hexamethylenetetramine cobalt(II) complex: [Co(NCS)2(hmt)2(H2O)2][Co(NCS)2(H2O)4] (H2O)

Synthesis, structure, spectroscopy and thermal properties of complex [Co(NCS)₂(hmt)₂(H₂O)₂][Co(NCS)₂(H₂O)₄] (H₂O) (I), assembled by hexamethylenetetramine and octahedral Co(II) metal ions, are reported. Crystal data for I: F_w 387.34, a=9.020(8), b=12.887(9), c=7.95(1) Å, =96.73(4), β=115.36(5), γ=94.16(4)°, V=820(1) Å³, Z=2, space group=P−1, T=173 K, λ(Mo-K)=0.71070 Å, ρ_calc=1.718567 g cm⁻³, μ=17.44 cm⁻¹, R=0.088, R_w=0.148. An interesting two-dimensional network is assembled via hydrogen bonds through coordinated and free water molecules. The d–d transition energy levels of Co(II) ion are determined by UV–vis spectroscopy and calculated by ligand field theory. The calculated results agree well with experiment ones.     

Synthesis and characterization of oxazolone complexes with Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) in different counterions

Oxazolone forms (1:1) complexes with Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ chlorides, as well as forms (1:1) complexes with Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺ acetates. All the complexes are found to be non-electrolytes in DMF; tetrahedral, square-planar and octahedral structures are assigned to them based on electronic and magnetic data. IR studies reveal that the complexes are formed by donating the lone-pair electron from O and N atoms to the metal ion. The thermal decomposition of the [ML·mX·nH₂O]_y·H₂O chelates was studied by TG–DTA techniques. The mechanism of the decomposition has been established from TG–DTA data. The kinetic parameters, activation energy (E_a) and pre-exponential factor (A), were calculated from TG curves using Coats and Redfern method. Relative thermal stabilities of the chelates have been evaluated on the basis of these parameters.     

2D Cu(I) and 3D mixed-valence Cu(I)/Cu(II) coordination polymers: Synthesis and structural characterization of [CuCl(pyz-H)2]·2H2O and [Cu2Cl2(pyz)(H2O)]·H2O (pyz-H = pyrazinic acid)

Two new coordination polymers of copper(I) chloride and pyrazinic acid (pyz-H), namely [CuCl(pyz-H)₂]·2H₂O (1) and [Cu₂Cl₂(pyz)(H₂O)]·H₂O (2) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic, magnetic and crystallographic methods. The overall physical measurements suggest that 1 is diamagnetic and contains monodentate N-pyrazinic acid, whereas 2 is paramagnetic and contains tridentate N,N′,O- chelating bridging pyrazinato anion. In the structure of 1 as elucidated by X-ray single crystal analysis, the asymmetric units [CuCl(pyz)₂] are linked together forming a zigzag chain with tetrahedral copper(I) environment. The two lattice water molecules form hydrogen bonds with the uncoordinated N atom and carboxylate group O atom of pyz-H molecules. The Cu–N bond lengths are 2.009(6) Å and Cu–Cl distances are 2.337(2) Å. Complex 2 has a three-dimensional structure with the chains [Cu(I)Cu(II)(C₅H₃N₂O₂)Cl₂(H₂O)] interconnected by [Cu(I)Cl₂N] tetrahedral unit and [Cu(II)NO₂Cl₂] polyhedra. The Cu(I)–Cl and Cu(I)–N distances are 2.327(2)–2.581(2) Å and 1.988(6) Å, respectively, whereas the Cu(II)–Cl and Cu(II)–N bond lengths are 2.258(2), 2.581(2) Å, and 2.017(6) Å, respectively. Hydrogen bonds of the type O–HO are formed between lattice and coordinated water, and carboxylate oxygens of pyrazinato ligand giving rise to a three-dimensional network. The Cl⁻ anions act as bridging ligands in both complexes. The magnetic data of complex 2 have been measured from 2 to 300 K and discussed.     

Synthesis, characterization and structure of complexes of o-aminophenol-N,N,O-triacetic acid with cobalt(II), nickel(II), manganese(II) and zinc(II)

The potassium salt of o-aminophenol-N,N,O-triacetic acid (APTA) and KMnL·H₂O, KCoL·3H₂O, KNiL·3H₂O, KZnL·3ZH₂O, Co(CoL)₂·7H₂O and Ni(NiL)₂·8H₂O(L³⁻:anion of APTA) have been synthesized and characterized by elementary analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, molar conductance, IR spectra, magnetic measurements and electronic spectra. The coordination environments of these metal ions have been discussed on the basis of these studies. The single crystal structure of cobalt(II)-APTA has been determined as CoL·0.5Co(H₂O)₆·4H₂O, which contains two types of cobalt(II). One type of cobalt(II) is coordinated with six water molecules to form Co(H₂O)₆²⁺, the other is chelated by APTA to form a distorted octahedron and linked into an infinite chain anion [COC₆H₄(OCH₂COO)N(CH₂COO)₂⁻]_n, in which each cobalt(II) atom is linked with neighbouring cobalt(II) atoms through two carboxylate oxygen atoms of the phenoxyacetate group. Water molecules occupy interstices in the structure.     

Spectroscopic approach in characterization of chromium(III), manganese(II), iron(III) and copper(II) complexes with a nitrogen donor tetradentate, 14-membered azamacrocyclic ligand

The complexes of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III) and Cu(II) were synthesized with the macrocyclic ligand i.e. 2,3,9,10-tetraketo-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane. The ligand was prepared by the [2 + 2] condensation reaction of diethyloxalate and 1,3-diamino propane. These complexes were found to have the general composition M(L)X3 and M'(L)X2 [where M = Mn(II) and Cu(II), M' = Cr(III) and Fe(III), L = ligand (N4) and X = Cl-, NO3-, 1/2SO4(2-) and [CH3COO-]. The ligand and its transition metal complexes were characterized by the elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, mass, IR, electronic, and EPR spectral studies. On the basis of IR, electronic and EPR spectral studies an octahedral geometry has been assigned for Cr(III), Mn(II) and Fe(III) and a tetragonal geometry for Cu(II) complexes.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of delocalized transition metal chelates: Diazoketiminato chelates of Co(III) and Pt(II)

The reactions of HL 1 [where HL is 1N-(2-pyridyl-2-methyl)-2-arylazoaniline and is formulated as ArN = NC₆H₄N(H)(CH₂C₅H₄N); Ar = C₆H₅ (for HL¹) or p-MeC₆H₄ (for HL²) or p-ClC₆H₄ (for HL³)] with K₂PtCl₄ and Co(ClO₄)₃ · 6H₂O afforded the (L)PtCl and [(L)₂Co]ClO₄ complexes, respectively. The HL ligands bind the platinum(II) and cobalt(III) centres in a tridentate (N,N,N) fashion, forming new diazoketiminato chelates upon dissociating the amino proton. The X-ray structures of (L³)PtCl and [(L³)₂Co]ClO₄ were determined. Redox properties of the new complexes have been examined.     

Structural, spectroscopic and thermal characterization of 2-tert-butylaminomethylpyridine-6-carboxylic acid methylester and its Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and UO(2)(II) complexes

Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and UO(2)(II) complexes with the ligand 2-tert-butylaminomethylpyridine-6-carboxylic acid methylester (HL(2)) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic moment, thermal analysis and spectral data. 1:1 M:HL(2) complexes, with the general formula [M(HL(2))X(2)].nH(2)O (where M = Co(II) (X = Cl, n = 0), Ni(II) (X = Cl, n = 3), Cu(II) (grey colour, X = AcO, n = 1), Cu(II) (yellow colour, X = Cl, n = 0) and Zn(II) (X = Br, n = 0). In addition, the Fe(III) and UO(2)(II) complexes of the type 1:2 M:HL(2) and with the formulae [Fe(L(2))(2)]Cl and [UO(2)(HL(2))(2)](NO(3))(2) are prepared. From the IR data, it is seen that HL(2) ligand behaves as a terdentate ligand coordinated to the metal ions via the pyridyl N, carboxylate O and protonated NH group; except the Fe(III) complex, it coordinates via the deprotonated NH group. This is supported by the molar conductance data, which show that all the complexes are non-electrolytes, while the Fe(III) and UO(2)(II) complexes are 1:1 electrolytes. IR and H1-NMR spectral studies suggest a similar behaviour of the Zn(II) complex in solid and solution states. From the solid reflectance spectral data and magnetic moment measurements, the complexes have a trigonal bipyramidal (Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes) and octahedral (Fe(III), UO(2)(II) complexes) geometrical structures. The thermal behaviour of the complexes is studied and the different dynamic parameters are calculated applying Coats-Redfern equation.     

Asymmetric Schiff Base (N 2 O 3 ) Complexes as Ligands Towards Mn(II), Fe(III) and Co(II), Synthesis and Characterization

Heterobi- and tri-nuclear complexes [LMM'Cl] and [(LM) 2 M'](M=Ni or Cu and M'=Mn, Fe or Co) have been synthesised. The heteronuclear complexes were prepared by stepwise reactions using two mononuclear Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the general formula [HLM]·1/2H 2 O, as ligands towards the metal ions, Mn(II), Fe(III) and Co(II). The asymmetrical pentadentate (N 2 O 3 ) Schiff-base ligands used were prepared by condensing acetoacetylphenol and ethylenediamine, molar ratio 1 1, to yield a half-unit compound which was further condensed with either salicylaldehyde or naphthaldehyde to yield the ligands H 3 L 1 and H 3 L 2 which possess two dissimilar coordination sites, an inner four-coordinate N 2 O 2 donor set and an outer three-coordinated O 2 O set. 1 H NMR and IR spectra indicate that the Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions are bonded to the inner N 2 O 2 sites of the ligands leaving their outer O 2 O sites vacant for further coordination. Different types of products were obtained according to the type of metal ion. These products differ in stoichiometry according to the type of ligand in the parent compound. Electronic spectra and magnetic moments indicate that the structures of the parent Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes are square-planar while the geometry around Fe(III), Mn(II) and Co(II) in their products are octahedral as elucidated from IR, UV-visible, ESR, 1 H NMR, mass spectrometry and magnetic moments.     

Synthesis and structure of two lanthanide complexes with isonicotinic acid N-oxide (HL): [Ln(L)2(H2O)4]n·(NO3)n·n(H2O) (Ln = Sm or Tb)

Two new lanthanide complexes of isonicotinic acid N-oxide (HL), namely [Ln(L)₂(H₂O)₄]_n·(NO₃)_n·n(H₂O) for Ln = Sm or Tb, have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. IR spectra suggest that isonicotinic acid N-oxide acts as a O,O′-bidentate ligand, the N-oxide group as well as the nitrate group are not involved in coordination. Single crystal analyses have shown that both complexes are isomorphous, where the Ln(III) centers are eight coordinated by four O atoms of four water ligands and other four O atoms of two isonicotinic acid N-oxide ligands. The carboxylate groups are only involved in the bidentate syn–syn bridging mode into infinite chains. Hydrogen bonds between aqua ligands, lattice molecules, nitrate and N-oxide groups are formed giving a three-dimensional network.     

Synthesis and magnetism of the first tetranuclear copper(II)–iron(III) complexes of macrocyclic oxamides

Four novel tetranuclear macrocyclic complexes of the formula [(CuLⁱ)₃Fe](ClO₄)₃·3H₂O (i=1–4, Lⁱ are the dianions of the [14]N₄ and [15]N₄ macrocyclic oxamides, namely 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-7,12-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,11-diene, 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-9-methyl-7,12-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,11-diene and 2,3-dioxo-5,6:14,15-dibenzo-7,13-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,12-diene] have been prepared and characterized. These complexes are the first examples of oxamido-bridged Cu(II)–Fe(III) heterometallic species. Cryomagnetic studies on [(CuL¹)₃Fe](ClO₄)₃·3H₂O (1) and [(CuL³)₃Fe](ClO₄)₃·3H₂O (3) (77–300 K) revealed that the Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions interact antiferromagnetically through the oxamido bridge, with the exchange integral J=−30.8 cm⁻¹ for 1 and J=−28.7 cm⁻¹ for 3 based on . The interaction parameters have been compared with that of the related [Cu₃Mn] compound.