Synthesis, spectral characterization and in vitro microbiological evaluation of novel glyoxal, biacetyl and benzil bis-hydrazone macrocyclic Schiff bases and their Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

A series of binuclear Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were synthesized by the template condensation of glyoxal, biacetyl or benzil bis-hydrazide, 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and Co(II), Ni(II) or Cu(II) chloride in a 2:2:2 M ratio in ethanol. These 22-membered macrocyclic complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic, molar conductance, spectral, thermal and fluorescence studies. Elemental analyses suggest the complexes have a 2:1 stoichiometry of the type [M₂LX₂]·nH₂O and [Ni₂LX₂2H₂O]·nH₂O (where M = Co(II) and Cu(II); L = H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³; X = Cl; n = 2). From the spectroscopic and magnetic studies, it has been concluded that the Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes display a five coordinated square pyramidal geometry and the Ni(II) complexes have a six coordinated octahedral geometry. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes have also been screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities by the MIC method.     

Redox-active metal(II) complexes of sterically hindered phenolic ligands: Antibacterial activity and reduction of cytochrome c. Part II. Metal(II) complexes of o-diphenol derivatives of thioglycolic acid

The synthesis and physico-chemical characterization of Fe(II) and Mn(II) complexes of 2-[4,6-di(tert-butyl)-2,3-dihydroxyphenylsulfanyl]acetic acid (HL^I) and 2-[4,6-di(tert-butyl)-2,3-dihydroxyphenylsulfinyl]acetic acid (HL^II) were carried out. The investigation of the molecular and electronic structure of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Fe(II) and Mn(II) complexes has been performed within the density functional theory (DFT) framework. The computed properties were compared to the experimental ones, and molecular structures of the compounds were proposed based on the array of spectral data and quantum chemical calculations. Antibacterial activity of the Fe(II) and Mn(II) complexes was evaluated in comparison with Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes and three standard antibiotics; it was found to follow the order: (1) Сu(L^I)₂ > Mn(L^I)₂ > HL^I > Ni(L^I)₂ > Zn(L^I)₂ > Fe(L^I)₂ > Co(H₂O)₂L^I; (2) Cu(L^II)₂ > Сo(L^II)₂ > Ni(L^II)₂ > Mn(H₂O)₂(L^II)₂ > Fe(L^II)₂ > HL^II > Zn(L^II)₂; their reducing ability (determined electrochemically) followed the same order. Spectrophotometric investigation was carried out in order to estimate the rate of the reduction of bovine heart сytochrome c with the ligands and their metal(II) complexes. The complexes Сu(L^I)₂, Mn(L^I)₂ and Co(L^II)₂ with the high reducing ability were found to be characterized by the highest rates of Cyt с reduction. NADPH:cytochrome P450-reductase had no substantial effect on the rate of сytochrome c reduction with HL^I and HL^II ligands.     

New Cu(II)4 and Zn(II)4 complexes: Synthesis, characterization and magnetic and biological studies

Two new isomorphous tetranuclear complexes [Cu₄L₂(4,4′-bipy)₂]·(ClO₄)₄·2CH₃CN·2H₂O (1) and [Zn₄L₂(4,4′-bipy)₂]·(ClO₄)₃·CH₃O·4H₂O (2) have been obtained and fully characterized (where bipy = bipyridine, H₂L = macrocycle is the [2+2] condensation product of 2,6-diformyl-4-fluoro-phenol and 1,4-diaminobutane). They exhibit wheel-like configuration in which two 4,4′-bipy molecules connect two dinuclear [M₂L]²⁺ units. The interactions of the complexes with calf thymus DNA were studied by UV-Vis and CD spectroscopic techniques. The binding constants of 1 and 2 are 2.27 × 10⁶ and 3.89 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, respectively. The magnetic measurement of 1 reveals that there are strong antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -272.6 cm⁻¹) between two Cu(II) ions in the macrocyclic unit and ferromagnetic interaction (j′ = 41.7) between the Cu(II) ions in two adjacent macrocyclic units. Furthermore, the cyclic voltammogram of 1 shows that it undergoes two quasi-reversible processes with the half wave potentials -0.232 and -0.606 V, respectively.     

DNA cleavage activities of tetraazamacrocyclic oxamido nickel(II) complexes

The DNA cleavage activities of nickel(II) ion and four closely related macrocyclic nickel(II) complexes NiL¹ ∼ NiL⁴ in the absence of any added redox cofactors are compared and the structure of NiL³ methanol solvate has been characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis, where L¹ ∼ L⁴ are the dianions of tetraazamacrocyclic oxamido Schiff bases. In NiL³·MeOH, the macrocyclic [N₄] ligand coordinates to the central Ni(II) ion forming a distorted square–planar geometry. The adjacent mononuclear molecules are linked by O–H?O hydrogen bonds and Ni?O and Ni?L van der Waals forces into 2D supramolecular structure. Agarose gel electrophoresis studies indicate that the ability of these nickel(II) complexes to cleave DNA is highly dependent upon the ligand employed. In the absence of any added oxidizing agents, only NiL³ is a relatively good DNA cleavage agent, and the process of plasmid DNA cleavage is much sensitive to ionic strength and pH value. The NiL³-mediated DNA cleavage reaction is a typical pseudo-first-order consecutive reaction, and the rate constants of 0.148 ± 0.007 h⁻¹ (k₁) and 0.0118 ± 0.0018 h⁻¹ (k₂) for the conversion of supercoiled to nicked DNA and nicked to linear DNA are obtained in presence of 0.5 mmol L⁻¹ NiL³. The results of DNA cleavage experiments, combining with those of circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy indicate that the main binding modes between DNA and the complexes should be groove binding and electrostatic interaction.     

A new series of dinucleating macrocyclic ligands and their complexes of zinc(II)

A new category of dinucleating macrocyclic Schiff base ligands with ring sizes from 34- to 52-membered have been synthesised employing metal template procedures involving the reaction of o-phenylenediamine with a series of α,ω-bis(3′-hydroxy-4′-formylphenyloxy)alkanes in the presence of calcium(II), barium(II) or manganese(II). The latter cations act as ‘transient’ templates for formation of the corresponding metal-free Schiff base macrocyclic ligands, H₄Lⁿ (where n signifies the number of carbons in each linking bis-alkoxy chain); the macrocycles corresponding to n = 4, 6 and 8 were isolated and characterised while, for n = 1, in which single methylene groups acts as the bridges between salicyl moieties, the cyclic product was used directly for preparation of its dinuclear complex, [Zn₂L¹], without prior isolation. Evidence for the templating role of barium in the preparation of H₄L⁶ and H₄L⁸ was obtained by isolation of the corresponding species of type H₄Lⁿ·2Ba(ClO₄)₂ (n = 6 or 8) as ‘intermediates’ before generation of the respective metal-free macrocycles. Reaction of zinc(II) acetate with the free macrocycles in methanol yielded complexes of type [Zn₂Lⁿ] in all cases. A related non-cyclic ligand, H₂L⁰ and its corresponding mononuclear complex, [ZnL⁰]·H₂O, were also synthesised and its spectral properties compared with those of the macrocyclic derivatives. The elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, IR, UV–Vis and MS spectra of the respective zinc complexes in each case were in accord with the formation of the expected 2:2 condensation product. The results of DFT calculations to probe aspects of the electronic and structural natures of both H₂L¹ and H₄L⁴ are briefly presented.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two new heteropolynuclear [NiCdCdNi] and [NiCdNi] Schiff base complexes involving bridging chlorine and oxygen functions

Two new heteropolynuclear Schiff base complexes, [Ni₂Cd₂L₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂] (1) and [Ni₂CdL′₂Cl(H₂O)]ClO₄·H₂O (2) where L = [N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyacetophenylidene)]propane-1,2-diamine and L′ = [N,N′-bis(2-hydroxypropiophenylidene)]propane-1,2-diamine, have been synthesized by refluxing equimolar amounts of nickel perchlorate, cadmium chloride and the respective tetradentate Schiff base ligand, H₂L or H₂L′ in methanol medium. The complexes have been characterized by microanalytical, spectroscopic, single crystal X-ray diffraction and other physicochemical studies. Structural studies on 1 reveal the presence of a bis(heterodinuclear) [Ni^IICd^II]₂ unit in which the two central cadmium ions are doubly chloro-bridged with each other and each of them is connected to a nickel(II) center through two phenolate oxygen bridges. In contrast, complex 2 contains a heterotrinuclear [Ni^IICd^IINi^II] unit in which the central cadmium ion is connected to two nickel(II) centers through two doubly bridging phenolate oxygen atoms. The Cd(II) ions in 1 and 2 adopt distorted, square pyramidal (CdO₂Cl₃) and octahedral (CdO₅Cl) geometries respectively. On the other hand, the Ni(II) ions in both 1 and 2 assume the same coordination geometry, i.e. a distorted square planar (NiO₂N₂) arrangement. Intermolecular C-H?Cl or O-H?Cl and O-H?O hydrogen bonding interactions are operative in the complexes to build up 2D supramolecular structures in their solid states.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic property of a new nickel selenite chloride: Ni5(SeO3)4Cl2

The new nickel selenite chloride, Ni₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂, was obtained by high-temperature solid state reaction of NiCl₂, Ni₂O₃ and SeO₂ in a 1:2:4 molar ratio at 700 °C in an evacuated quartz tube. Its structure was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Ni₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂ crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1 (No. 2) with cell parameters of a=8.076(2), b=9.288(2), c=9.376(2) Å, α=101.97(3), β=105.60(3), γ=91.83(3)° and Z=2. All nickel(II) ions in Ni₅(SeO₃)₄Cl₂ are octahedrally coordinated by selenite oxygens or/and chloride anions (([Ni(1)O₅Cl], [Ni(2)O₄Cl₂], [Ni(3)O₅Cl], [Ni(4)O₆] and [Ni(5)O₄Cl]). The structure of the title compound features a condensed three-dimensional (3D) network built by Ni(II) ions interconnected by SeO₃²⁻ anions as well as Cl⁻ anions. Magnetic property measurements show strong antiferromagnetic interaction between nickel(II) ions.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,spectral and biological studies of Cu–M(M = Zn and Pb) heterodinuclear complexes of new phenol-based macrocyclic ligands

Eight new heterodinuclear Cu(II)–M(II) (M = Pb and Zn) complexes of four new phenol based compartmental macrocyclic ligands, possessing contiguous (N₂O₂) and (N_xO₂) (x = 2, 3) coordination sites, were prepared by the template reaction of [N,N′-bis(3-formyl-5-methylsalicylidene)ethane-1,2-diaminato]copper(II), with various di- and/or tri-amines in the presence of Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions. The crystal structure of [CuZnL³(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂, 6, was determined by X-ray diffraction and shows that the Zn(II) and Cu(II) ions reside in the N₂O₂ sites of the macrocyclic ligand. The fifth coordination site of the Zn centre is occupied by a water ligand. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity and spectroscopic methods (IR and UV). Also, all the synthesized complexes were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activity against Escherichia coli, Staphyloccocus aureus and Candida albicans.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic properties of three new binuclear Ni(II) complexes derived from tripodal tetradentate (N4) ligands

Three new binuclear Ni(II) complexes [{Ni(L_22py)Cl}₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [{Ni(L_23py)Cl}₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), and [{Ni(L_33py)Cl}₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), {L_22py = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane, L_23py = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-diaminopropane, L_33py = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(3-aminopropyl)-1,3-diaminopropane} have been synthesized. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis showed that in each complex two distorted octahedral Ni(II) ions are bridged asymmetrically by a pair of chloride anions. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 3 revealed dominant ferromagnetic exchange interactions.     

Self-assembled macrocyclic molecular squares of Ni(II) derived from carbohydrazones and thiocarbohydrazones: Structural and magnetic studies

Four novel molecular square grids were achieved by self-assembly using the flexible ligands bis(di-2-pyridyl ketone) thiocarbohydrazone (H₂L¹), bis(quinoline-2-carbaldehyde) thiocarbohydrazone (H₂L²), bis(di-2-pyridyl ketone) carbohydrazone (H₂L³) and bis(2-benzoylpyridine) carbohydrazone (H₂L⁴). Three complexes were given a general formula of [Ni(HL)]₄[PF₆]₄ · nH₂O and one [Ni₂(HL²)L²]₂(PF₆)₂ · 7H₂O. The MALDI-MS spectra reveal the formation of tetranuclear molecular squares. The square grid of the Ni(II) centers in all the complexes were organized by deprotonated ligands. The complex [Ni(HL¹)]₄[PF₆]₄ · 11H₂O crystallized as [Ni(HL¹)]₄(PF₆)₄ · 0.5 CH₃CH₂OH · 2.8H₂O and X-ray study revealed octahedral geometries around the Ni(II) centers. Variable temperature magnetic studies suggest intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling between the Ni(II) electrons by a super exchange mechanism through intervening sulfur/oxygen atoms.     

On the magnetic structure of DyNiO3

The crystallographic structure of DyNiO₃ has been investigated at T=200, 100, and 2 K from high-resolution neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data. We show that the structure is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, from the metal-insulator transition temperature at T_MI=564 K down to 2 K. The Ni atoms occupy two different sites 2d (Ni1) and 2c (Ni2), whose valences, estimated from bond-valence consideration, are +2.43(1) and +3.44(1) at 2 K, respectively. This is interpreted as the result of a partial charge disproportionation of the type 2Ni³⁺→Ni1^(3−δ)++Ni2^(3+δ)+, with δ≈0.55 at T=2 K. The magnetic structure has been studied from a NPD pattern at T=2 K, well below the establishment of the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering at T_N=154 K, as well as from sequential data collected from 16 K down to 2 K. The magnetic order is defined by the propagation vector k=(1/2,0,1/2). Two possible magnetic structures are compatible with the magnetic intensities. In the second solution both Ni sublattices participate in the magnetic order, as well as Dy since it corresponds to a total disproportionation of Ni³⁺ to Ni²⁺ and Ni⁴⁺. In the second solution both Ni sublattices participate in the magnetic order, as well as Dy. The magnetic moments for Ni1 and Ni2 atoms at T=2 K are 1.8 (2) and 0.8 (2) μ_B, respectively. These values are also compatible with a partial charge disproportionation. Dy³⁺ ions exhibit long-range magnetic ordering below 8 K. An abrupt contraction of the unit-cell volume is observed at this temperature, due to a magnetoelastic coupling. The magnetic moment for Dy³⁺ at T=2 K is 7.87 (6) μ_B.     

Strictly heterodinuclear compounds containing U and Cu or Ni ions

Treatment of [M(H₂Lⁱ)] with UCl₄ in pyridine led to the formation of the dinuclear complexes [MLⁱ(py)UCl₂(py)₂] and/or [Hpy][MLⁱ(py)UCl₃] [Lⁱ = N,N′-bis(3-hydroxysalicylidene)-R, R = 1,2-phenylenediamine (i = 1), R = trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (i = 2), R = 2-amino-benzylamine (i = 3), R = 1,3-propanediamine (i = 4), R = 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (i = 5); M = Cu or Ni]. The crystal structures show that the 3d and 5f ions occupy, respectively, the N₂O₂ and O₄ cavities of the Schiff base ligand, the U⁴⁺ ion adopting a dodecahedral or pentagonal bipyramidal configuration in the neutral and anionic complexes, respectively.     

Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes of N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)aminopyridines

N-(2-Hydroxybenzyl)aminopyridines (Lⁱ) react with Cu(II) and Pd(II) ions to form complexes in the compositions Cu(Lⁱ)₂(CH₃COO)₂ · nH₂O (n = 0, 2, 4), Pd(Lⁱ)₂Cl₂ · nC₂H₅OH (n = 0, 2) and Pd(L²)₂Cl₂ · 2H₂O. In the complexes, the ligands are neutral and monodentate which coordinate through pyridinic nitrogen. Crystal data of the complexes obtained from 2-amino pyridine derivative have pointed such a coordinating route and comparison of the spectral data suggests the validity of similar complexation modes of other analog ligands. Cu(II) complex of N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2-aminopyridine (L¹), [Cu(L¹)₂(CH₃COO)₂] has slightly distorted square planar cis-mononuclear structure which is built by two oxygen atoms of two monodentate carboxylic groups disposed in cis-position and two nitrogen atoms of two pyridine rings. The remaining two oxygen atoms of two carboxylic groups form two Cu and H bridges containing cycles which joint at same four coordinated copper(II) ion. IR and electronic spectral data and the magnetic moments as well as the thermogravimetric analyses also specify on mononuclear octahedric structure of complexes [Cu(L²)₂(CH₃COO)₂ · 2H₂O] and [Cu(L³)₂(CH₃COO)₂ · 4H₂O] where L² and L³ are N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2- or 3-aminopyridines, respectively.     

Near IR luminescent rare earth 3,4,5,6-tetrafluoro-2-nitrophenoxide complexes: Synthesis,X-ray crystallography and spectroscopy

3,4,5,6-Tetrafluoro-2-nitrophenoxide (L⁻) forms complexes with rare earth M³⁺ ions. X-ray crystal structures of substances with the stoichiometry Cs₂ML₅ · mEt₂O (M = Er, m = 0; M = Er, m = 1; M = Y, m = 1.5; M = Yb, m = 1) have been determined. Each M³⁺ ion is coordinated to two bidentate and three monodentate L⁻ ions; Et₂O does not coordinate to M³⁺. The complexes absorb both visible and ultraviolet light. The solid Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ complexes have unusually long lifetimes (τ = 20.2 μs and 142 μs, respectively) for the decay of their luminescence in the near-infrared region following photoexcitation; this is attributed to the lack of C–H bonds and other high frequency oscillators that could cause vibrational quenching.     

Synthesis and X-ray crystallographic studies of Ni (II) and Cu (II) complexes of [5-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4] oxadiazole-2-thione/thiol formed by transformation of N-(pyridine-4-carbonyl)-hydrazine carbodithioate in the presence of ethylenediamine

The reaction of [M(H₂L)₂] [M = Ni(II) Cu(II)] (K⁺H₂L⁻ = N-(pyridine-4-carbonyl)-hydrazine carbodithioate) with excess of ethylenediamine (en) gave mixed ligand complexes [Ni(en)₂(4-pytone)₂] (4-pytone = 5-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thione), and [Cu(en)₂](4-pytol)₂·H₂O (4-pytol = 5-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol). The metal complexes have been characterized with the aid of elemental analyses, IR, magnetic susceptibility and single crystal X-ray studies. Complexes (1) and (2) crystallize in monoclinic system, space group P_{1 21}/n₁ and C₂/c, respectively. The ligand after cyclization is present in the deprotonated thiol form in the Cu(II) complex where it is ionically bonded through sulfur. In the Ni(II) complex (1) bonding of the ligand take place through oxadiazole nitrogen and the ligand exists as the thione form.     

Preparation of a novel Mixed-Ligand divalent metal complexes from solvent free Synthesized Schiff base derived from 2,6-Diaminopyridine with cinnamaldehyde and 2,2′‐Bipyridine: Characterization and antibacterial activities

The solvent-free conditions were employed to synthesise symmetrical Schiff base ligand from 2,6-diaminopyridine with cinnamaldehyde in (1 min) with a fair yield utilizing formic acid as a catalyst. Through coordination chemistry, new heteroleptic complexes of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Pt(II), Pd(II) and Zn(II) were achieved from Schiff base as a primary chelator (L¹) and 2,2′‐bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) as a secondary chelator (L²). The prepared compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, FTIR, ¹H NMR, UV–visible, mass spectrometry, and thermal gravimetric analysis, and screened in vitro for their potential as antibacterial activity by the agar well diffusion method. The metal complexes were formulated as [M (L¹) (L²) (X)] Y⋅nH₂O, L¹ = Schiff base, L² = 2,2′-bipy, (M = Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Y = 2NO₃, n = 1), (M = Ni(II), X = 2H₂O, Y = 2NO_3, n = 0) and (M = Pd(II) Pt(II), Y = 2Cl, n = 0). Both L¹ and L² act as a neutral bidentate ligand and coordinates via nitrogen atoms of imine and 2,2′-bipy to metal ions. The metal complexes were found to be electrolytic, with square-planar heteroleptic Cu(II), Co(II), Pt(II), and Pd(II) chelates and octahedral Ni(II) complex. As well as tetrahedral geometry, has been proposed for the complex of Zn(II). Furthermore, the biological activity study revealed that some metal chelates have excellent activity than Schiff base when tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Finally, it was found that the Zn(II) and Pd(II) complexes were more effective against both types of bacteria tested than the imine and other metal complexes.     

Crystal structure, spectroscopy and magnetism of trinuclear nickel(II), cobalt(II) complexes and their solid solution

Four new complexes [Ni₃(μ-L)₆(H₂O)₆](NO₃)₆·6H₂O (1), [Co₃(μ-L)₆(H₂O)₆](NO₃)₆·6H₂O (2), [Ni₃(μ-L)₆(H₂O)₄(CH₃OH)₂](NO₃)₆·4H₂O (3), [Co₃(μ-L)₆(H₂O)₄(CH₃OH)₂](NO₃)₆·4H₂O (4) (L = 4-amino-3,5-dimethanyl-1,2,4-triazole) were synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The structural analyses show that complex 1 and 2 are isomorphous; complex 3 and 4 are isomorphous. Four complexes all consist of the linear trinuclear cations ([M₃(μ-L)₆(H₂O)₆]⁶⁺ (M = Ni,Co) for 1 and 2; [M₃(μ-L)₆(H₂O)₄(CH₃OH)₂]⁶⁺ (M = Ni,Co) for 3 and 4), NO₃⁻ anions and crystallized water molecules. In the trinuclear cations, the central M(II) ions and two terminal M(II) ions are bridged by three triazole ligands. Other eleven solid solution compounds which are isomorphous with complex 3 and 4 were obtained by using different ratio of Ni(II) and Co(II) ions as reactants and ICP result indicates that ligand L has higher selectivity of Ni(II) ions than that of Co(II) ions. The magnetic analysis was carried out by using the isotropic spin Hamiltonian ? = −2J(?₁?₂ + ?₂?₃) (for complexes 1 and 3) and simultaneously considering the temperature dependent g factor (for complexes 2 and 4). Both the UV-Vis spectra and the magnetic properties of the solid solutions can be altered systematically by adjusting the Co(II)/Ni(II) ratio.     

Artificial neural networks study of the catalytic reduction of resazurin: stopped-flow injection kinetic-spectrophotometric determination of Cu(II) and Ni(II)

An artificial neural network (ANN) procedure was used in the development of a catalytic spectrophotometric method for the determination of Cu(II) and Ni(II) employing a stopped-flow injection system. The method is based on the catalytic action of these ions on the reduction of resazurin by sulfide. ANNs trained by back-propagation of errors allowed us to model the systems in a concentration range of 0.5-6 and 1-15 mg l⁻¹ for Cu(II) and Ni(II), respectively, with a low relative error of prediction (REP) for each cation: REP_Cu(II) = 0.85% and REP_Ni(II) = 0.79%. The standard deviations of the repeatability (s_r) and of the within-laboratory reproducibility (s_w) were measured using standard solutions of Cu(II) and Ni(II) equal to 2.75 and 3.5 mg l⁻¹, respectively: s_r[Cu(II)] = 0.039 mg l⁻¹, s_r[Ni(II)] = 0.044 mg l⁻¹, s_w[Ni(II)] = 0.045 mg l⁻¹ and s_w[Ni(II)] = 0.050 mg l⁻¹. The ANNs-kinetic method has been applied to the determination of Cu(II) and Ni(II) in electroplating solutions and provided satisfactory results as compared with flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. The effect of resazurin, NaOH and Na₂S concentrations and the reaction temperature on the analytical sensitivity is discussed.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and luminescent properties of an isotypic series of rare-earths complexes with a dialdehyde ligand

A series of mononuclear complexes based on lanthanide ions has been synthesized and X-ray characterized. The compounds [Ln^IIIL₂(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₂] (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Tm; L = 2,6-bis(2-formylphenoxymethyl)pyridine) are found to be isomorphous and isostructural. Ligand L systematically coordinates through one carbonyl functionality, and the resulting complexes are placed on a twofold axis in crystals belonging to C2/c space-group. Emission spectra for Ln = La, Pr, Nd revealed a correlation between the Ln–O coordination bond length and the photoluminescent properties of the complexes, in line with a Förster–Dexter mechanism for intramolecular energy transfer. Ligand L is therefore a suitable sensitizer for lanthanide ions.     

Cationic η-allyl sulfide complexes of nickel(II) for the polymerization of butadiene in aqueous emulsion

Reaction of the dimeric allyl-nickel(II) chloro complex [Ni(η³-C₃H₅)(μ-Cl)]₂ (5) with sulfur donor ligands (L = L₁₀-L₁₃) in the presence of ( = 3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) gives the corresponding cationic mononuclear complexes of the type [Ni(η³-C₃H₅)(L)₂]⁺ (1-4) [L = L₁₀ = diphenyl sulfide (1); L = L₁₁ = 4,4′-thiodiphenol (2); L = L₁₂ = 4,4′-thio-bis(6-tert-butyl-o-cresol) (3); L = L₁₃ = 4,4′-thio-bis (6-tert-butyl-m-cresol) (4)]. All of these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy, as well as the representative complex 3 additionally by single-crystal X-ray analysis. In comparison to the known complex [Ni(η³-C₃H₅)(η⁶-BHT)][B] (BHT = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene), the herein described cationic complexes show an increased stability towards water. The activity of the complexes for butadiene polymerization in aqueous emulsions was studied.