Synthesis of alkynylated photo-luminescent Zn(II) and Mg(II) Schiff base complexes

A new series of photo-luminescent Zn(II) and Mg(II) Schiff base complexes were prepared by treatment of the arylethynyl-substituted salicylaldehydes obtained from the Sonogashira reaction with the metal salt followed by addition of the different diamines. Most square-planar Zn(II) complexes exhibited good quantum efficiencies. The Mg(II) complexes displayed even higher quantum yields than the corresponding Zn-complexes. Unsymmetrical Zn(II) Schiff base complexes were also successfully prepared from organic monoimines obtained as intermediates in the formation of the Mg metal Schiff base complex. The monoimine can also be prepared from the reaction of salicylaldehydes with excess diaminoarene. Two crystal structures featuring the zinc atom are reported, one with a rare four-coordinate square planar geometry and the other with a five-coordinate square pyramidal geometry.