Infrared spectra of bis(aniline) and bis (p-toluidine) metal(II) isothiocyanate complexes

The infrared spectra of eight complexes of general formula ML₂(NCS)₂] (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; L = aniline or p-toluidine) have been determined over the range 4000–4150 cm^?1. Colour, magnetic moments and IR spectra are consistent with polymeric octahedral coordination in the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and polymeric tetragonal coordination in the Cu(II) complexes, while the Zn(II) complexes are assigned polymeric octahedral (L = aniline) and tetrahedral (L = p-toluidine) structure on the basis of their IR spectra. Independent ¹⁵N-labelling of the nitrogen atoms of the amino and isothiocyanate groups yields assignments for the internal vibrations of both groups and enables the metal-amine and metal—isothiocyanate stretching vibrations (vM-NH₂ and vM-NCS) to be distinguished. Both vM-NH₂ and vM-NCS are metal ion dependent in the Irving-Williams sequence (Co < Ni < Cu > Zn) expected from their proposed structures while the vN-H and vN-CS vibrations are inversely related to the masses of the coordinated metal ions.