Copper(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of 2-benzylthio-4-formyl-1-p-methoxyphenylimidazole: crystal structure,spectral properties and thermal behaviour

Summary The coordinative capacity of 2-benzylthio-4-formyl-1-p-methoxyphenylimidazole (ALME) with several transition metal ions has been investigated and has led to only copper(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of general formula M^IICl₂(ALME)₂]·nH₂O. These compounds were studied by spectral (i.r., u.v.-vis. n.i.r. and e.p.r.) and thermal methods (t.g., d.t.g. and d.s.c.) as well as magnetic susceptibility measurements.The crystal structure of the copper complex has been solved, although a full refinement of the structure has not been possible as very few measured reflections were observed. The structure consists of discrete CuCl₂-(ALME)₂] units in which Cu(II) ion is 4 + 2 Cl₂N₂O₂ surrounded Cu{ie481-01}Cl(1), 2.28(1) Å; Cu{ie481-02}Cl(2), 2.29(1) Å; Cu{ie481-03}N, 2.00(2) Å; Cu{ie481-04}O, 2.71(2) Å]. The ALME ligand acts as bidentate chelator through the N(3) imidazolic atom and the oxygen of the formyl group, the Cu{ie481-05}O interaction being very weak. Water molecules have not been localized.