The dangers of using KBr,KI and CaI2 as mulling agents during the preparation of infrared discs of complexes

Tribochemical reactions of KBr, KI and CaI₂ with [Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]1/2H₂O (L = formylhydrazine) give novel Cu^I and Cu^II complexes, which have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (i.r., u.v.–vis., ¹H-n.m.r.) and magnetic measurements. The i.r. spectra indicate that (L) behaves in a monodentate manner, coordinating via the azomethine nitrogen (C-N) group in the Cu^II complexes, but behaving as a bidentate ligand, via the carbonyl oxygen and NH₂ groups in the Cu^I complexes. KI and CaI₂ react with [Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]-1/2H₂O in the solid state, accompanied by a colour change, substitution of the chloride by iodide ions, and reduction of Cu^II to Cu^I to give complexes with formulae [Cu(L)I(EtOH)_1/2] and [Cu_1.7(L)I_1.7(EtOH)_1/2]. On the other hand, the tribochemical reaction of KBr with [Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]1/2H₂O is accompanied by a colour change; substitution of the chloride by bromide ions, but without reduction of Cu^II and yields a complex of formula [Cu(L)₂Br₂(EtOH)(H₂O)]1/2EtOH. The spectral and magnetic results suggest a distorted octahedral geometry for the Cu^II complexes while a tetrahedral geometry around the Cu^I ion. The non-stoichiometric structure of [Cu_1.7(L)I_1.7(EtOH)_1/2] is discussed.     

The chemistry of pyridine thiols and related ligands, Part 5. Synthesis and spectroscopy of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes containing 1-oxopyridine-2-thione and 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline

Summary Reactions of bis(1-oxopyridine-2-thione) Ni^II or Cu^II with 2,2-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) yield complexes of stoichiometry: Ni(C₅H₄NOS)₂L {L = bipy, two isomers: (1) and (2), L = phen, one isomer (3)} and Cu(C₅H₄NOS)₂(phen)·0.75CHCl₃ (4). The spectroscopy (i.r., u.v.-vis., e.s.r.) and magnetism studies of the above complexes are described. On the basis of conductivity, the Cu^II-phen complex has been formulated as [Cu(C₅H₄NOS)(phen)₂][Cu(C₅H₄NOS)₃]·1.5CHCl₃ (4). The vis. absorption spectra support similar octahedral structures for the minor bipy isomer (2) and for the Ni^II-phen complex [(3)], whereas the major isomer [(1)] has a different structure. The e.s.r. spectrum of the Cu^II-phen complex (4) is commensurate with an elongated octahedral structure. New methods for the preparation and spectroscopy of M(C₅H₄NOS)₂ (M = Mn, Ni, Cu or Zn) compounds have been investigated.     

Preparation, characterization and crystal structures of copper(II) hexaazamacrotetracyclic complexes with organic ligands

The reaction of [Cu(L)](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O (L=1,3,10,12,16,19-hexaazatetracyclo[17,3,1,1^12.16,0^4.9]tetracosane) with NaN₃ and Na₂tp yields mononuclear and dinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L)(N₃)](ClO₄) (1) and [Cu(L)(μ-tp)](ClO₄) · 2H₂O (2). These complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, electronic absorption, cyclic voltammetry and magnetic susceptibility. The crystal structure of (1) shows that the copper(II) ion has a distorted square-pyramidal geometry with the two secondary and two tertiary amines of the macrocycle and one nitrogen atom from the azide group coordinating the axial position. The copper(II) ions in (2) are bridged by the terephthalate anion to form a dinuclear complex, in which each copper(II) ion reveals a distorted square-pyramid with four nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle and the oxygen atom of bridging tp ligand. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes gives two one-electron waves corresponding to Cu^II/Cu^III and Cu^II/Cu^I processes. The magnetic susceptibility measurement for (2) exhibits a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between copper(II) centers with a 2J value of −2.21 cm⁻¹ (H = −2JΣS₁ · S₂). The electronic spectra and electrochemical behavior of the complexes are significantly affected by the nature of the organic ligands.     

One-dimensional hydrogen-bonded infinite chains composed of nickel(II) and copper(II) tetraaza macrocyclic complexes with cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid-1-carboxylate ligand

The reaction of [M(L)]Cl₂ · 2H₂O (M = Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺, L = 3,14-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo[14,4,0^1.18,0^7.12]docosane) with 1,1-cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid (H₂-cpdc) generates one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded infinite chains [Ni(L)(H-cpdc)₂] (1) and [Cu(L)(H-cpdc)₂] (2) (H-cpdc = cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid-1-carboxylate). These complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structures of (1) and (2) show a distorted octahedral coordination geometry around the metal ion, with four secondary amines and two oxygen atoms of the H-cpdc ligand at the trans position. Complexes (1) and (2) display the one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded infinite chains. The cyclic voltammogram of the complexes display two one-electron waves corresponding to M^II/M^III and M^II/M^I processes. The electronic spectra and electrochemical behavior of the complexes are significantly affected by the nature of the axial H-cpdc ligand.     

Synthesis and characterization of mononuclear copper(II) and dinuclear cadmium(II) complexes with di-(2-picolyl)sulfide

The reaction of CuCl₂ · 2H₂O and CdCl₂ with di-(2-picolyl)sulfide (dps) leads to the formation of mononuclear copper(II) and binuclear cadmium(II) complexes, [Cu(dps)Cl₂] · H₂O (1) and [(dps)(Cl)Cd^II(μ-Cl)₂Cd^II(Cl)(dps)] (2). The copper atom in (1) is coordinated to one sulfur and two nitrogen atoms from the dps ligand and two chlorides in a distorted square-pyramidal environment. Complex (2) has two distorted octahedra sharing the basal edge that contain the bridging chloro ligands, each of which resides at a center of inversion. Cyclic voltammetric data show that (1) undergoes two reversible one-electron waves corresponding to Cu^II/Cu^III and Cu^II/Cu^I processes. However, cyclic voltammetry of (2) gives two irreversible reduced waves.     

Magnetic properties of transition metal complexes with 2,2′-bipyridin-5-yl t-butyl nitroxide

Complexes [Mn^II(5bpno)₃(ClO₄)₂], [Mn^II(5bpno)(CH₃OH)₂Cl₂], [Cu^II(5bpno)₂(ClO₄)₂], and [Cu^II(5bpno)Cl₂] were prepared, where 5bpno stands for 2,2′-bipyridin-5-yl t-butyl nitroxide. X-ray crystallographic analysis clarified that the Cu ion in [Cu(5bpno)₂(ClO₄)₂] was tetra-coordinate with four nitrogen atoms forming two chelate rings. Magnetic measurements revealed the presence of ferromagnetic couplings in the Mn complexes, whereas the Cu complexes showed antiferromagnetic couplings. Magnetic exchange couplings between the metal and radical spins through the intervening pyridine ring can be explained in terms of the spin-polarization mechanism.     

Copper Complexes with New Pyridylpyrazole Based Ligands

We report the synthesis, characterization, and crystal structures of new ligands of the pyridinylpyrazole type, i.e., 3,5‐bis(4‐butoxyphenyl)‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole ( L ¹ ) and 3,5‐bis(4‐phenoxyphenyl)‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole ( L ² ) (Scheme 1), and the study of their coordination behavior towards Cu^I and Cu^II. The versatility of this type of ligand, which can give access to different coordination spheres about the metal center, depending on the nature of the copper starting material used in the preparation of the complexes (Scheme 2), is illustrated. Thus, pseudo‐tetrahedral Cu^I as well as six‐coordinated tetragonal and distorted tetragonal pyramidal Cu^II derivatives were obtained for [Cu(L)₂]PF₆, [Cu(Cl)₂(L)₂] (L= L ¹ , L ² ), and [Cu(Cl)( L ¹ )₂]PF₆, respectively. We also present a crystallographic support of a distorted octahedral cis‐bis(tetrafluoroborato‐κF)copper(II) compound found for [Cu(BF₄)₂( L ¹ )₂] ( 3 ).     

Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of coordination compounds containing 2,2′-bis(3-aminopyridyl) diselenide as ligand

The reaction between 2,2′-bis(3-aminopyridyl) diselenide (L) and metal transition salts results in the formation of molecular or cluster complexes. The structural elucidation of the synthesized complexes [CuCl₂(L)] ( 1 ), [Cu(3-NH₂PySeO₂)₂]·2H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu₄(3-NH₂PySe)₄]·dimethylformamide ( 3 ), [CoCl₂(L)] ( 4 ), [ZnCl₂(L)] ( 5 ), and [Ag₆(3-NH₂PySe)₆] ( 6 ) demonstrates the coordination of nitrogen atoms to Cu^II, Co^II, and Zn^II, and that of the selenium atoms to Cu^I and Ag^I, which agrees with Pearson’s hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) theory. Furthermore, the oxidation of selenium with the formation of 3-aminopyridylseleninate [3-NH₂PySeO₂]⁻ bonded to the copper atom was observed in complex 2 . The antimicrobial action of complexes 1 , 2 , 4 , and 5 was evaluated against Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium massiliense, and Mycobacterium abscessus. It was observed that all these complexes have potential antimicrobial activity compared with the free ligand and metal salts used in the synthesis.     

Complexing behaviour of aromatic thioamides (ArCSNHCOR). Transition metal complexes of N-carboethoxy-4-chlorobenzene- and N-carboethoxy-4-bromobenzene thioamide ligands

N-Carboethoxy-4-chlorobenzene thioamide (Hcct or HL) and N-carboethoxy-4-bromobenzene thioamide (Hcbt or HL) react with bivalent (Ni, Co, Cu, Ru, Pd and Pt), trivalent (Ru and Rh) and tetravalent (Pt) transition metal ions to give [M^II(L)₂], [Ru^III(L)₃], [Rh^III(L)(HL)Cl₂] and [Pt(L)₂Cl₂] complexes, respectively. In the presence of pyridine, Co^II and Ni^II salts react with the ligands (HL) to give [M^II(L)₂Py] (M = Co and Ni) complexes. Soft metal ions abstract sulphur from the ligands to yield the corresponding sulphide, together with oxygenated forms of the ligands. All the metal complexes have been characterised by chemical analyses, conductivity, spectroscopic and magnetic measurements.     

Synthesis and characterization of CuII and CoII complexes derived from 2,4,6-tri-(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TPT) by chemical and tribochemical reactions

Four Cu^II and Co^II complexes–[Cu(L₁)Cl₂(H₂O)]3/2H₂O · 1/2EtOH, [Cu(L₁)₂Cl₂]6H₂O, [Co(L₁)Cl₂]3H₂O · EtOH, and [Co₂(L₁)(H₂O)Cl₄]1.5H₂O · EtOH (L₁ = 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine; TPT)–were synthesized by conventional chemical method and used to synthesize another four metal complexes–[Cu(L₁)I₂(H₂O)]6H₂O, [Cu(L₁)₂I₂]6H₂O, [Co(L₁)I(H₂O)₂]I · 2H₂O, and [Co₂(L₁)I₄(H₂O)₃]–using tribochemical reaction, by grinding it with KI. Substitution of chloride by iodide occurred, but no reduction for Cu^II or oxidation of Co^II. Oxidation of Co^II to Co^III complexes was only observed on the dissolution of Co^II complexes in d₆-DMSO in air while warming. The isolated solid complexes (Cu^II and Co^II) have been characterized by elemental analyses, conductivities, spectral (IR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR), thermal measurements (TGA), and magnetic measurements. The values of molar conductivities suggest non-electrolytes in DMF. The metal complexes are paramagnetic. IR spectra indicate that TPT is tridentate coordinating via the two pyridyl nitrogens and one triazine nitrogen forming two five-membered rings around the metal in M : L complexes and bidentate via one triazine nitrogen and one pyridyl nitrogen in ML₂ complexes. In binuclear complexes, L is tridentate toward one Co^II and bidentate toward the second Co^II in [Co₂(L₁)Cl₄]2.5H₂O · EtOH and [Co₂(L₁)I₄(H₂O)₃]. Electronic spectra and magnetic measurements suggest a distorted-octahedral around Cu^II and high-spin octahedral and square-pyramidal geometry around Co^II.     

Copper(II) oxalate and oxamate complexes

Reaction of Cu^II salts with phenanthroline and oxalate (ox) or oxamate (oxm) gives [Cu(phen)(ox)(H₂O)] · H₂O or [Cu(phen)(oxm)(H₂O)] · H₂O complexes while direct treatment of Cu^II salts with oxalate or oxamate gives [NH₄]₂[Cu(ox)₂] and [Cu(oxm)₂(H₂O)₂] respectively. The X-ray structures of one example of each system, aquo-oxamato-phenanthroline-copper(II)-dihydrate and the polymeric ammonium-bis(aquo)-tetraoxalato-dicopper(II)-dihydrate, are reported.     

Tracking the dissolution–recrystallization structural transformation (DRST) of copper(II) complexes: a combined crystallographic,mass spectrometric and DFT study

Methanol‐ and temperature‐induced dissolution–recrystallization structural transformation (DRST) was observed among two novel Cu^II complexes. This is first time that the combination of X‐ray crystallography, mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations has been used to describe the fragmentation and recombination of a mononuclear Cu^II complex at 60 °C in methanol to obtain a binuclear copper(II) complex. Combining time‐dependent high‐resolution electrospray mass spectrometry, we propose a possible mechanism for the conversion of bis(8‐methoxyquinoline‐κ²N,O)bis(thiocyanato‐κN)copper(II), [Cu(NCS)₂(C₁₀H₉NO)₂], Cu1 , to di‐μ‐methanolato‐κ⁴O:O‐bis[(8‐methoxyquinoline‐κ²N,O)(thiocyanato‐κN)copper(II)], [Cu₂(CH₃O)₂(NCS)₂(C₁₀H₉NO)₂], Cu2 , viz. [Cu(SCN)₂( L )₂] ( Cu1 ) → [Cu( L )₂] → [Cu( L )]/ L → [Cu₂(CH₃O)₂(NCS)₂( L )₂] ( Cu2 ). We screened the antitumour activities of L (8‐methoxyquinoline), Cu1 and Cu2 and found that the antiproliferative effect of Cu2 on some tumour cells was much greater than that of L and Cu1 .     

Spectral and structural studies of cobalt(II,III), nickel(II), and copper(II) complexes of dehydroacetic acid N4-dialkyl- and 3-azacyclothiosemicarbazones

Co^II,III, Ni^II, and Cu^II complexes of new dehydroacetic acid N4-substituted thiosemicarbazones have been studied. The substituted thiosemicarbazones, N4-dimethyl-(DA4DM), N4-diethyl-(DA4DE), 3-piperidyl-(DApip) and 3-hexamethyleneiminyl-(DAhexim), when reacted with the metal chlorides, produced two Co^II complexes, [Co(DA4DE)Cl₂] and [Co(DAhexim)₂Cl₂]; two Co^III complexes, [Co(DA4DM-H)₂Cl] and [Co(DApip-H)(DApip-2H)]; a paramagnetic Ni^II complex, [Ni(DAhexim)(DAhexim-H)Cl]; three diamagnetic Ni^II complexes, [Ni(DA4DM-H)Cl], [Ni(DA4DE-H)Cl] and [Ni(DApip-H)Cl]; and four Cu^II complexes with the analogous stoichiometry of the latter three Ni^II complexes. These new thiosemicarbazones have been characterized by their melting points, as well as i.r., electronic and ¹H-n.m.r. spectra. The metal complexes have been characterized by i.r. and electronic spectra, and when possible, n.m.r. and e.s.r. spectra, as well as elemental analyses, molar conductivities, and magnetic susceptibilities. The crystal and molecular structure of the four-coordinate Cu^II complex, [Cu(DAhexim-H)Cl] has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and the anionic ligand coordinates via an oxygen of the dehydroacetic acid and the thiosemicarbazone moiety's imine nitrogen and thione sulfur.     

Complexes of NS and NSO donor ligands. Nickel(II), copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of glyoxal bis(morpholineN-thiohydrazone) and diacetyl bis(morpholineN-thiohydrazone)

Summary Reactions of glyoxal bis(morpholineN-thiohydrazone), H₂gbmth, with NiCl₂·6H₂O, Ni(OAc)₂·4H₂O, Ni(acac)₂· H₂O, CuCl₂·2H₂O, Cu(OAc)₂·H₂O, Cu(acac)₂, CoCl₂· 6H₂O, Co(OAc)₂·4H₂O and Co(acac)₂·2H₂O yield complexes of the type [M(gbmth)], [M=Ni^II, Cu^II or Co^II]. Diacetyl reacts with morpholineN-thiohydrazide in the presence of nickel salts to yield [Ni^II(dbmth)], [Ni^II(dmth)(OAc)]H₂O and [Ni^II(Hdmth)(NH₃)Cl₂] involving N₂S₂ and NSO donor ligands. Copper and cobalt complexes of N₂S₂ and NSO donor ligands with compositions [Cu^II(dbmth)], [Co^II(dbmth)]·4H₂O and [Co^II(H₂dbmth)]Cl₂, have been isolated. The compounds have been characterised by elemental analyses, magnetic moments, molar conductance values and spectroscopic (electronic and infrared) data.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties of Two Copper(II) Radical Heterospin Complexes

Two heterospin complexes [Cu(NIT3Py)(cda)H₂O] · H₂O ( 1 ) and [Cu(NIT2Py)(cda)H₂O] · H₂O · CH₃OH ( 2 ) with Cu^II ions and pyridyl‐substituted nitronyl nitroxide radicals (NITxPy = 2‐(x′‐pyridyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐imidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide, x = 3, 2; H₂cda = 4‐hydroxy‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. The single crystal structures show that the two complexes are both two‐spin complexes, in which the different radicals make the two complexes have different hydrogen bonding interactions to form 2D and 1D supramolecular network for complexes 1 and 2 , respectively. The magnetic measurements indicate that complexes 1 and 2 both exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu^II and radicals.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Catalytic Properties of Three Copper(II) Coordination Polymers Based on 2,3,5,6‐Tetrafluoro‐1,4‐bis(triazole‐ylmethyl)benzene and Benzene Carboxylate Ligands

Three new mixed‐ligand coordination polymers of Cu^II, namely, [Cu(Fbtx)(L1)(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ), [Cu(Fbtx)_0.5(HL2)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 2 ), and {[Cu(Fbtx)_1.5(HL3)(H₂O)] · H₂O}_n ( 3 ) [Fbtx = 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐ylmethyl)benenze, H₂L1 = terephthalic acid, H₃L2 = trimesic acid, NaH₂L3 = 5‐sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt], were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, and single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction techniques. All the complexes have a two‐dimensional (2D) coordination layer structure. Of these, 1 displays a planar 4⁴‐ sql structure whereas both 2 and 3 are highly undulated 6³‐ hcb nets. Moreover, their thermal stability and catalytic behaviors in the aerobic oxidation of 4‐methoxybenzyl alcohol were also investigated as well. The results indicate that the benzene dicarboxylate ligands have an effective influence on the structures and catalytic properties of the resulting coordination polymers.     

Homo‐ and Heteronuclear Compounds with a Symmetrical Bis‐hydrazone Ligand: Synthesis,Structural Studies,and Luminescent Properties

Nine new coordination compounds have been synthesized by the reaction of salts of bivalent metal ions (a=Zn^II, b=Cu^II, c=Ni^II, d=Co^II) with the bis(benzoylhydrazone) derivative of 4,6‐diacetylresorcinol (H₄L). Three kinds of complexes have been obtained: homodinuclear compounds [M₂(H₂L)₂]?nH₂O ( 1 a , 1 b , 1 c , and 1 d ), homotetranuclear compounds [M₄(L)₂]?n(solv) ( 2 a and 2 c ), and heterotetranuclear compounds [Zn₂M₂(L)₂]?n(solv) ( 2 ab , 2 ac , and 2 ad ). The structures of the free ligand H₄L?2 DMSO and its complexes [Zn₂(H₂L)₂(DMSO)₂] ( 1 a* ), [Zn₄(L)₂(DMSO)₆] ( 2 a* ), and [Zn_0.45Cu_3.55(L)₂(DMSO)₆]?2 DMSO ( 2 ab* ) were elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The ligand shows luminescence properties and its fluorimetric behavior towards M^II metals (M=Zn, Cu, Ni and Co) has been studied. Furthermore, the solid‐state luminescence properties of the ligand and compounds have been determined at room temperature. ¹H NMR spectroscopic monitoring of the reaction of H₄L with Zn^II showed the deprotonation sequence of the OH/NH groups upon metal coordination. Heteronuclear reactions have also been monitored by using ESI‐MS and spectrofluorimetric techniques.     

Novel copper complexes based on the thiocyanate bridge - Synthesis, X-ray studies and magnetic properties

Three novel compounds {[Cu(bpzm)(SCN)][Cu(bpzm)(MeOH)][Cu(SCN)₄]}_n (1a), {[Cu₂(bpzm)₂(μ-SCN)(SCN)₃]}_n (1b) and [Cu₂(μ-SCN)₂(SCN)₂(dpa)₂] (2) have been obtained in one-step self-assembly reaction of copper dichloride, a suitable N-N ligand (bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane and 2,2′-dipyridylamine) and ammonium thiocyanate. For the reaction involving bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane, an unprecedented in situ reduction of some Cu(II) ions to Cu(I) has been observed. The compound {[Cu(bpzm)(SCN)][Cu(bpzm)(MeOH)][Cu(SCN)₄]}_n (1a) belongs to a relatively scarce group of mixed-valence Cu^II/Cu^I coordination polymers with interesting polymeric architecture. It creates infinite two-dimensional structure consisting of layers extending along crystallographic plane (0 0 1), in which the cations [Cu^II(bpzm)(SCN)]⁺ and [Cu^II(bpzm)(MeOH)]²⁺ are connected by ions [Cu^I(SCN)₄]³⁻ through single end-to-end thiocyanato bridges. Structure 1b consists two crystallographically independent chains. The chain A has a zig-zag form and extends along the crystallographic direction [0 0 1], whereas the second chain is linear and runs along the crystallographic direction [0 1 0]. The structure 2 consists of dinuclear [Cu₂(dpa)₂(μ-SCN)₂(SCN)₂] units. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show very weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic centres Cu(II) centers inside the crystal lattices of three novel compounds.     

Synthesis,spectral and thermal studies of monomeric,homobimetallic and polymeric complexes containing benzoyldithiocarbazate

New mixed ligand complexes of benzoyldithiocarbazate (H₂BDT) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, spectral studies (i.r., u.v.–vis., mass), thermal analysis and electrical conductivity measurements. The complexes have the general formulae: [M₂(BDT)(OX)₂] · xH₂O; [Co₂(BDT)(OX)₂(H₂O)₄]; [M(HBDT)(OX)-(H₂O)], [Ni(BDT)(py)₂] _n and [Ni(BDT)(L)] _n where M = Mn^II, Ni^II and Cu^II; BDT = dithiocarbazate dianion; OX = 8-hydroxyquinolinate; x = 1 or 2; M = Zn^II or Cd^II; HBDT = dithiocarbazate anion and L = 2,2-bipyridyl or 1,10-o-phenanthroline. For the [M₂(BDT)(OX)₂] · xH₂O, [Co₂(BDT)(OX)₂(H₂O)₄], [Ni(BDT)(py)₂] _n and [Ni(BDT)(L)] _n complexes, benzoyldithiocarbazate acts as a dibasic-tetradentate ligand in the enol form via the enolic oxygen, the hydrazide nitrogens and the thiolate sulphur, while it acts as a monobasic-tridentate ligand in the keto form in the [M(HBDT)(OX)(H₂O)] complexes. The thermal behaviour of the complexes has been studied by t.g.–d.t.g. techniques. Kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition process have been computed by Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger methods. It is obvious that the thermal decomposition in the complexes occurs directly at the metal–ligand bonds except for the Zn^II and Cd^II complexes in which decomposition seems to be at a point in the benzoyldithiocarbazate moiety. From the calculated kinetic data it can be concluded that the dehydration processes in all complexes have been described as phase-boundary controlled reactions. The activation energy values reveal that the thermal stabilities of the homobimetallic complexes lie in the order: Mn^II < Ni^II < Co^II, while the monomeric Cd^II complex has more enhanced thermal stability than the Zn^II complex.