Thermal, spectral and magnetic characterization of Co(II), Ni(II) AND Cu(II) 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates

Physico-chemical properties of 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) were studied. The complexes were obtained as mono- and trihydrates with a metal ion to ligand ratio of 1:2. All analysed 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates are polycrystalline compounds with colours depending on the central ions: pink for Co(II), green for Ni(II), and blue for Cu(II) complexes. Their thermal decomposition was studied only in the range of 293–523 K, because it was found that on heating in air above 523 K 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates decompose explosively. Hydrated complexes lose crystallization water molecules in one step and anhydrous compounds are formed. The final products of their decomposition are the oxides of the respective transition metals. From the results it appears that during dehydration process no transformation of nitro group to nitrite takes place. The solubilities of analysed complexes in water at 293 K are of the order of 10^–4–10^–2 mol dm^–3. The magnetic moment values of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions in 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates experimentally determined at 76–303 K change from 3.89 to 4.82 μ_B for Co(II) complex, from 2.25 to 2.98 μ_B for Ni(II) 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoate, and from 0.27 to 1.44 μ_B for Cu(II) complex. 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzoates of Co(II), and Ni(II) follow the Curie–Weiss law. Complex of Cu(II) forms dimer.