Spectrothermal studies of 1,10-phenanthroline complexes of Co(II), NI(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) orotates

The 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) orotates were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, spectral methods (UV-vis and FTIR) and thermal analysis techniques (TG, DTG and DTA). The Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions in diaquabis(1,10-phenanthroline)metal(II) diorotate octahedral complexes [M(H₂O)₂(phen)₂](H₂Or)₂·nH₂O (M=Co(II), n=2.25; Ni(II), n=3; Cu(II) and Cd(II), n=2) are coordinated by two aqua ligands and two moles of phen molecules as chelating ligands through their two nitrogen atoms. The monoanionic orotate behaves as a counter ion in the complexes. On the basis of the first DTG_max, the thermal stability of the hydrated complexes follows the order: Cd(II), 68°C 68°C     

Three multinuclear Co(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes based on a single-armed salamo-type bisoxime: syntheses,structural characterizations and fluorescent properties

Three multinuclear complexes, [Co(L)(OAc)Co(CH₃CH₂OH)₂]·H₂O, [Zn(L)(OAc)Zn(CH₃OH)], and [{Cd(L)(OAc)Cd(CH₃OH)}₂], containing a single-armed salamo-type bisoxime H₃L have been synthesized and characterized structurally. The Co(II) complex forms a dimeric unit by intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions of neighboring dimeric molecules. The Zn(II) complex also forms a dimeric unit by intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions. Interesting features of the crystal structure include O?O short contacts. Meanwhile, self-assembling infinite 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D supramolecular structures are formed by intermolecular hydrogen bond and C–H?π interactions. The Cd(II) complex forms an infinite 2-D supramolecular structure by intermolecular hydrogen bond interactions. The photophysical properties of the Co(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) complexes have also been discussed.     

Spectral,thermal and magnetic investigations of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 4-methylphthalates

Conditions for the preparation of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 4-methylphthalates were investigated and their composition, solubility in water at 295 K and magnetic moments were determined. IR spectra and powder diffraction patterns of the complexes prepared with molar ratio of metal to organic ligand of 1.0:1.0 and general formula: M [ CH₃C₆H₃(CO₂)₂]·nH₂o (n=1-3) were recorded and their decomposition in air were studied. During heating the hydrated complexes are dehydrated in one (Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd) or two steps (Cu) and next the anhydrous complexes decompose to oxides directly (Cu, Zn), with intermediate formation of carbonates (Mn, Cd), oxocarbonates (Ni) or carbonate and free metal (Co). The carboxylate groups in the complexes studied are mono- and bidentate (Co, Ni), bidentate chelating and bridging (Zn) or bidentate chelating (Mn, Cu, Cd). The magnetic moments for paramagnetic complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) attain values 5.92, 5.05, 3.36 and 1.96 M.B., respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Syntheses and spectrothermal studies of triethanolamine complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) squarates

The triethanolamine complexes, [M(tea)₂]sq·nH₂O, (n=2 for Co(II), n=0 for Ni(II), Cu(II) and n=1 for Cd(II), tea=triethanolamine, sq²⁻=squarate), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements, UV-Vis and IR spectra, and thermal analyses techniques (TG, DTG and DTA). The Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes possess octahedral geometry, while the Cd(II) complex is monocapped trigonal prismatic geometry. Dianionic squarate behaves as a counter ion in the complexes. The thermal decomposition of these complexes takes place in three stages: (i) dehydration, (ii) release of the tea ligands and (iii) burning of organic residue. On the basis of the first DTG_max of the decomposition, the thermal stability of the anhydrous complexes follows the order: Ni(II), 289°C>Co(II), 230°C>Cu(II), 226°C>Cu(II), 170°C in static air atmosphere. The final decomposition products — the respective metal oxides — were identified by FTIR spectroscopy.     

Spectrothermal studies on Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) salicylato (1,10-phenanthroline) complexes

The cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc atoms in bis(1,10-phenanthroline)bis(salicylato-O)metal(II) monomeric octahedral complexes [M(Hsal)₂(phen)₂]·nH₂O, (M: Co(II), n=1; Cu(II), n=1.5 and Ni(II), Zn(II), n=2) are coordinated by the salicylato monoanion (Hsal) through the carboxyl oxygen in a monodentate fashion and by the 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) molecule through the two amine nitrogen atoms in a bidentate chelating manner. On the basis of the DTG_max, the thermal stability of the hydrated complexes follows order: Ni(II) (149°C)>Co(II) (134°C)>Zn(II) (132°C)>Cu(II) (68°C) in static air atmosphere. In the second stage, the pyrolysis of the anhydrous complexes takes place. The third stage of decomposition is associated with a strong exothermic oxidation process (DTA curves: 410, 453, 500 and 450°C for the Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes, respectively). The final decomposition products, namely CoO, NiO, CuO and ZnO, were identified by IR spectroscopy. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,and antimicrobial activity of copper(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) complexes of 3-formylchromoniminopropylsilatrane

A new series of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) complexes have been synthesized from 3-formylchromoniminopropylsilatrane (C₁₉H₂₄O₅N₂Si) (2) and 3-formylchromoniminopropyltriethoxysilane (1). Silatrane ligand (C₁₉H₂₄O₅N₂Si) (2) has been synthesized by the reaction between 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 3-formylchromone followed by a treatment with triethanolamine. The nature of bonding and the geometry of the complexes have been deduced from elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, infrared, electronic, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and ESR spectral studies. The electronic absorption spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements of the complexes indicate square planar geometry for Cu(II) and Ni(II) and tetrahedral geometry for Co(II). The redox behavior of copper complexes was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The biological activity of the ligand and metal complexes has been studied on Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia Coli, and Bacillus subtilis by the well diffusion method using acetonitrile as solvent. The zone of inhibition values were measured at 37°C for 24 h. Antimicrobial screening tests show better results for the metal complexes than the ligand.     

Heteronuclear complexes of oxorhenium(V) with Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and UO2(VI) and their biological activities

Heteronuclear complexes containing oxorhenium(V), with Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and UO₂(VI) ions were prepared by the reaction of the complex ligands [ReO(HL¹)(PPh₃)(OH₂)Cl]Cl (a) and/or [ReO(H₂L²)(PPh₃)(OH₂)Cl]Cl (b), where H₂L¹?=?1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)butane-1,3-dione-3-(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine-3-ylhydrazone) and H₃L²?=?1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)butane-1,3-dione-3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-ylhydrazone), with transition and actinide salts. Heterodinuclear complexes of ReO(V) with Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) were obtained using a 1?:?1 mole ratio of the complex ligand and the metal salt. Heterotrinuclear complexes were obtained containing ReO(V) with UO₂(VI) and Cu(II) using 2?:?1 mole ratios of the complex ligand and the metal salts. The complex ligands a and b coordinate with the heterometal ion via a nitrogen of the heterocyclic ring and the nitrogen atom of the C=N⁷ group. All transition metal cations in the heteronuclear complexes have octahedral configurations, while UO₂(VI)?complexes have distorted dodecahedral geometry. The structures of the complexes were elucidated by IR, ESR, electronic and ¹H NMR spectra, magnetic moments, conductance and TG-DSC measurements. The antifungal activities of the complex ligands and their heteronuclear complexes towards Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus niger showed comparable behavior with some well-known antibiotics.     

Thermal Behaviour of the N-donor Adducts of Metal Saccharinates III. Imidazole saccharinates of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II)

The complexes [M(HIm)₄(H₂O)₂](sac)₂ (M=Co, Ni) and [Cd(HIm)₂(sac)₂]₂ with saccharin (sac) and imidazole (HIm) were synthesized and their thermal (TG, DTG and DTA) behaviour in the interval from room temperature up to 1000°C in a static air atmosphere was investigated. Irrespectively of whether the deprotonated saccharinato residues are present as ligands or ions or both as ligands and ions, the anhydrous complexes regularly decompose in two stages. The thermal data of 16 saccharinato complexes (including the title compounds) were correlated with the respective structural data. The general thermal stability order of the saccharinato complexes can be represented as: Pb(II)<Zn(II)<Co(II)Ni(II)<Cd(II) (the stability of the Cu saccharinates depends on the particular compound) and is dictated by several structural factors, e.g. metal ionic radii, participation of the water in the coordination sphere of the metal and other structural characteristics. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A new pyrimidine-derived ligand,N-pyrimidine oxalamic acid,and its Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pd(II) complexes: synthesis,characterization, electrochemical properties,and biological activity

A new heterocyclic compound N-(5-benzoyl-2-oxo-4-phenyl-2H-pyrimidin-1-yl)-oxalamic acid has been synthesized from N-amino pyrimidine-2-one and oxalylchloride. Bis-chelate complexes of the ligand were prepared from acetate/chloride salts of Cu(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pd(II) in methanol. The structures of the ligand and its metal complexes were characterized by microanalyses, IR, AAS, NMR, API-ES, UV-Vis spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, and thermogravimetric analyses. An octahedral geometry has been suggested for all the complexes, except for Pd(II) complex, in which the metal center is square planar. Each ligand binds using C(2)=O, HN, and carboxylate. The cyclic voltammograms of the ligand and the complexes are also discussed. The new synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi using the microdilution procedure. The Cu(II) complex displayed selective and effective antibacterial activity against one Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium (Bacillus cereus ATCC 7064), two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and S. aureus ATCC 25923) at 40–80 µg mL^?1, but poor activity against Candida species. The Cu(II) complex might be a new antibacterial agent against Gram-positive bacteria.     

Novel Co(II) and Cd(II) complexes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

New metal(II) complexes with empirical formulae Co(ibup)₂·4H₂O, Cd(ibup)₂·3H₂O, Co(nap)₂·H₂O, Cd(nap)₂·3H₂O (where ibup=(CH₃)₂CHCH₂C₆H₄CH(CH₃COO⁻) and nap=CH₃O(C₁₀H₆)CH(CH₃COO⁻)) were isolated and investigated. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, IR spectroscopy and thermal decomposition. The thermal behavior was studied by TG, DTG, DTA methods under non-isothermal conditions in air atmosphere. The hydrated complexes lose water molecules in first step. All complexes decompose via intermediate products to corresponding metal oxides CoO and CdO. A coupled TG-MS system was used to detect the principal volatile products of thermolysis and fragmentation processes of Co(nap)₂·H₂O. The IR spectra of studied complexes revealed also absorption of the carboxylate group. Principal concern with the position of asymmetric, symmetric frequencies. The value of their separation allow to deduce about type of coordination these groups.     

Synthesis,Spectral Characterization and Biological Activities of Co(II) and Ni(II) Mixed Ligand Complexes

2,4-Dinitrophynylhydrazine and two thiocyanate ions in a (M:L1:L2) 1:2:2 molar ratio was synthesized in the complexes of Co(II) and Ni(II). The prepared compounds were identified through a C.H.N.S. analysis, conductivity measurements, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), the infrared spectrum, and a UV-visible spectrum analysis, in addition to the magnetic properties being measured. The measurements of the molar conductance implieda nonelectrolytic nature of compounds Co(II) and Ni(II). The magnetic susceptibility, as well as electronic spectra, represented all the metal complexesthroughoctahedral geometry, respectively. The PXRD patterns suggested that all the complexes were an orthorhombic system with unit cell parameters. The in-vitro biological activity of the ligand and the metal complexes were screened against the Gram-positive and negative pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas, aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, as well as the fungal species of Aspergillusniger and Candida albicans.Thus, the metal complexes showeda high efficiency of antimicrobial activity compared with the ligand. Furthermore, applications of the ligand, as well as the metal complexes, were tested for in-vitro antioxidant potential in aDPPH assay. The results showed that the activity of the metal complexes with the in-vitro antioxidant was more active than that of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine(DNPH).     

Nano-sized Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes and their use as a precursor for synthesis of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles: A study on their sonochemical synthesis,characterization, and DNA-binding/cleavage,anticancer, and antimicrobial activities

Two new divalent copper (C1) and zinc (C2) chelates having the formulae [M(PIMC)₂] (where M = Cu(II), Zn(II) and PIMC = Ligand [(E)-3-(((3-hydroxypyridin-2-yl)imino)methyl)-4H-chromen-4-one] were obtained and characterized by several techniques. Structures and geometries of the synthesized complexes were judged based on the results of alternative analytical and spectral tools supporting the proposed formulae. IR spectral data confirmed the coordination of the ligands to the copper and zinc centers as monobasic tridentate in the enol form. Thermal analysis, UV-Vis spectra and magnetic moment confirmed the geometry around the copper center to be tetrahedral, square pyramidal and octahedral. Study of the binding ability of the synthesized compounds with Circulating tumor DNA (CT-DNA) bas been evaluated applying UV-Vis spectral titration and viscosity measurements. The copper and zinc oxides were achieved from the copper and zinc nano-particles structures Schiff base complexes as the raw material after calcination for 5 hr at 600°C. On the other hand, synthesized of C1 and C2 NPs were used as suitable precursors to the preparation of CuO and ZnO NPs. Finally, the synthesized of the two complexes exhibited enhanced activity against the tested bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia Coli) and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus) as compared to HPIMC. Among all these synthesized compounds, C1 exhibits good cleaving ability compared to other newly synthesized C2.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization and biological activity of benzofuran Schiff bases with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes

New Schiff bases have been synthesized from benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide and benzaldehyde, [BPMC] or 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, [BDMeOPMC]; complexes of the type MLX₂, where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II), L = BPMC or BDMeOPMC and X = Cl, have been prepared. Structures have been elucidated on the basis of elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic properties, spectral studies i.e., ¹H NMR, electronic, ESR and IR studies show that the Schiff bases are bidentate through the azomethine nitrogen and oxygen of the carbonyl. We propose tentative structures for all of these complexes. The antifungal and antibacterial activities of the ligands and their metal complexes have been screened against fungi Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus and against bacteria Escherichia coli and S. aurious.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes of a New Vic-Dioxime Ligand

In this study, 1,2-dihydroxyimino-3,7-di-aza-9,10-O-α-methyl benzal decane (LH₂) was synthesized starting from 1,2-O-α-methyl benzal-4-aza-7-amino heptane (RNH₂) and antichloroglyoxime. With this ligand, complexes were synthesized using Ni(II) and Cu(II) salts with a metal:ligand ratio of 1:2. However, the reaction of the ligand with salts of Zn(II) and Cd(II) gave products with metal:ligand ratio of 1:1. Structures of the ligand and its complexes are proposed based on elemental analyses, IR, ¹³C- and ¹H-NMR spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA).     

Synthesis and physico-chemical studies of metal(II) complexes with diacetyl benzaldehyde acyldihydrazones and their bio-activity

Complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with diacetyl benzaldehyde oxalic acid dihydrazone (dbodh), CH₃COC(CH₃)=NNHCOCONHN=CHC₆H₅ and diacetyl benzaldehyde malonic acid dihydrazone (dbmdh), CH₃COC(CH₃)=NNHCOCH₂CONHN=CHC₆H₅ of general composition [M(dbodh)Cl]Cl and [M(dbmdh)Cl]Cl were synthesized and characterized by microanalyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, UV–Vis, ESR and IR spectra and X-ray diffraction studies. The complexes are 1 : 1 electrolytes in DMF and are insoluble in water and common organic solvents. The dbodh and dbmdh are neutral tridentate ligands in most complexes and coordinate via one >C=O and two >C=N–groups. In Cu(II) complexes the ligands are pentadentate coordinating through three >C=O and two >C=N–groups. The magnetic moment values and UV–Vis spectra suggest square-planar geometry for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and distorted octahedron for both Cu(II) complexes. The ESR spectra of Cu(II) complexes show well-defined copper hyperfine lines in DMSO solution at 120 K and exhibit d _{x ² ?y ²} as the ground state. The X-ray diffraction parameters for [Ni(dbodh)Cl]Cl and [Co(dbmdh)Cl]Cl correspond to a tetragonal crystal lattice. The complexes show significant antifungal activity against Alternaria sp., Curvularia sp. and Colletotrichum sp. and fair antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescence.     

Synthesis,physico-chemical investigations and biological studies on Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with p -amino acetophenone isonicotinoyl hydrazone

Complexes of the type [M(painh)(H₂O)₂X], where M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II); X = Cl₂ or SO₄; painh = p-amino acetophenone isonicotinoyl hydrazone, have been synthesized and characterized by spectral and other physico-chemical techniques. The synthesized complexes are stable powders, insoluble in common organic solvents such as ethanol, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and diethyl ether, and are non-electrolytes. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) studies show that the organic ligand decomposes exothermically through various steps. TGA and Infrared (IR) spectral studies indicate the presence of coordinated water in the metal complexes. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and electronic spectra suggest that Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) complexes are paramagnetic with octahedral geometry, whereas Cu(II) complexes have distorted octahedral geometry. The neutral bidentate ligand bonds through >C=O and >C=N–groups in all the complexes. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectra in the solid state show axial symmetry for [Cu(painh)(H₂O)₂(SO₄)] and elongated rhombic symmetry for [Cu(painh)(H₂O)₂Cl₂], suggesting an elongated tetragonally-distorted octahedral structure for both complexes. X-ray powder diffraction parameters for two complexes correspond to tetragonal and orthorhombic crystal lattices. The metal complexes show fair antifungal activity against Rizoctonia sp., Aspergillus sp., Stemphylium sp., and Penicillium sp. and appreciable antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas sp. and Escherichia coli.     

Spectral,thermal, electrochemical,biological and DFT studies on nanocrystalline Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with a tridentate ONO donor Schiff base ligand

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) Schiff base complexes derived from 3-hydrazinoquionoxaline-2-one and 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, FTIR, UV–vis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESR, and mass spectral studies. Thermal studies of the ligand and its metal complexes were also carried out to determine their thermal stability. Octahedral geometry has been assigned for Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes, while Cu(II) complex has distorted octahedral geometry. Powder XRD study was carried out to determine the grain size of ligand and its metal complexes. The electrochemical behavior of the synthesized compounds was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. For all complexes, a 2 : 1 ligand-to-metal ratio is observed. The ligand and its metal complexes were screened for their activity against bacterial species such as E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus and fungal species such as A. niger, C. albicans, and A. flavus by disk diffusion method. The DNA-binding of the ligand and its metal complexes were investigated by electronic absorption titration and viscosity measurement studies. Agarose gel electrophoresis was employed to determine the DNA-cleavage activity of the synthesized compounds. Density functional theory was used to optimize the structure of the ligand and its Zn(II) complex.     

The synthesis and characterization of three new vic -dioximes and their nickel(II), copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes

Three new vic-dioximes, [L¹H₂], N-(4-ethylphenyl)amino-1-acetyl-1-cyclohexenylglyoxime, [L²H₂], N-(4-butylphenyl)amino-1-acetyl-1-cyclohexenylglyoxime, and [L³H₂], N-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-1-acetyl-1-cyclohexenylglyoxime were synthesized from 1-acetyl-1-cyclohexeneglyoxime and the corresponding substituted aromatic amines. Metal complexes of these ligands were also synthesized with Ni(II), Cu(II), and Co(II) salts. These new compounds (ligands and complexes) were characterized with FT–IR, magnetic susceptibility measurement, molar conductivity measurements, mass spectrometry measurements, thermal methods (e.g. thermal gravimetric analysis), ¹H NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and ¹³C NMR spectral data and elemental analyses.     

Spectroscopic,crystal structure and thermal studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) with 5-amino-4-arylazo-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazole (aryl=C6H5,o-C6H4COOH,o-C6H4OH)

5-Amino-4-arylazo-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazole (aryl?=?C₆H₅,o-C₆H₄COOH,o-C₆H₄OH) and its complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) ions were synthesized. The complexes are in the ratio 1?:?1 and 1?:?2 (metal?:?ligand). Ligands and complexes were subjected to elemental analysis, IR, Raman, UV-Vis and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The mass spectra of the ligands were discussed. Thermal analysis and magnetic measurements were carried out for the prepared complexes. The X-ray single crystal structure of [Ni(L1)₂] was performed. The investigated pyrazole compounds coordinate as bidentate ligands through amino and azo nitrogens or tridentate through NNO. The molar conductance of the chelates is measured and reflected the non-electrolytic nature of the prepared complexes.     

Thermal behavior of Co(II) and Ni(II) hydroxycarboxylate complexes obtained by two original synthesis methods

This paper presents a facile and rapid synthesis route of metallic Ni and Co nanocrystallites at ~150 °C in the mixture composed of the corresponding metal nitrates and 1,3-propanediol, as reducing agent. The metal oxides NiO, CoO, Co₃O₄ nanocrystallites were, also, successfully synthesized by thermal decomposition at 300 °C of the hydroxycarboxylate coordination products, obtained in the redox reaction between 1,3-propanediol and Ni(II) and Co(II) nitrates. The formation of the Ni(II) and Co(II) hydroxycarboxylate complexes depends on the diol which generates the carboxylate anion, the transition metal and the process parameters. Ni(II) and Co(II) nanocomposites were also synthesized by thermal decomposition of the complex combinations formed within the pores of the hybrid silica gels. One of the purposes of the present study was to investigate the phase constitution of the composites obtained in similar synthesis conditions, from Ni(II) and Co(II) complex combinations embedded in silica gels. These gels were submitted to various thermal treatments and the changes occurring during these treatments were described by X-ray diffraction. Thermal analysis is an excellent tool for the study of the processes implied in the formation and decomposition of the Co(II) and Ni(II) carboxylate complexes. X-ray diffraction evidenced the nanometer sized metal and/or metal oxide phases.