Dinuclear Schiff-base copper(II) complexes with various bridging groups

Three new centrosymmetric dinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂Cl₂(L¹)₂] (1), [Cu₂(μ _1,3-NCS)₂(L²)₂] (2), and [Cu₂(μ _1,1-N₃)₂(L³)₂] (3), where L¹, L², and L³ are the deprotonated forms of the Schiff bases 1-[(2-propylaminoethylimino)methyl]naphthalen-2-ol (HL¹), 1-[(3-methylaminopropylimino)methyl]naphthalen-2-ol (HL²), and 2-[(2-isopropylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol (HL³), respectively, have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Each Cu is coordinated by the three donors of the Schiff bases and by two bridging groups, forming a square-pyramidal geometry.     

Synthesis,characterization, and fluorescence properties of dinuclear cadmium(II) complexes

Four dinuclear cadmium(II) complexes, [Cd₂(L¹)(μ₂-Cl)Cl₂] (1), [Cd₂(L²)(μ₂-Cl)Cl₂] (2), [Cd₂(L³)(μ₂-Cl)Cl₂] (3), and [Cd₂(L⁴)₃ClO₄] (4), where HL¹ = 4-methyl-2,6-bis(1-(2-piperidinoethyl)iminomethyl)-phenol, HL² = 4-methyl-2,6-bis(1-(2-pyrrolidinoethyl)iminomethyl)-phenol, HL³ = 4-methyl-2,6-bis(1-(2-morpholinoethyl)iminomethyl)-phenol and HL⁴ = 4-methyl-2,6-bis(cyclohexylmethyl)iminomethyl)-phenol, were synthesized. They were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis, fluorescence and electronspray ionization mass spectroscopy. Complexes 1 and 4 were also characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. The cadmiums atoms in 1 are linked by μ₂-chloride in a distorted square pyramidal geometry, whereas cadmium atom in 4 is in a distorted octahedral environment. The complexes show emission bands around 500 nm with excitation at 395 nm.     

Copper(I) and copper(II) complexes with pyrazine-containing pyridylalkylamide ligands N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide and N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide

Four copper(II) complexes and one copper(I) complex with pyridine-containing pyridylalkylamide ligands N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (HL^pz) and N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (HL^pz?) were synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structures of [Cu₂(L^pz)₂(4,4?-bipy)(OTf)₂] (1, OTf?=?trifluoromethanesulfonate, 4,4?-bipy?=?4,4?-bipyridine) and [Cu(L^pz)(py)₂]OTf·H₂O (2, py?=?pyridine) revealed binuclear and mononuclear molecular species, respectively, while [Cu(L^pz)(μ₂-1,1-N₃)]_n (3), [Cu(L^pz?)(μ₂-1,3-N₃)]_n (4), and [Cu(HL^pz)Cl]_n (5) are coordination polymer 1-D chains in the solid state.     

Synthesis,characterization, and crystal structure of two zinc(II) complexes with a Schiff base derived from amantadine

By condensation of amantadine and 4-methoxysalicylaldehyde a new Schiff base HL was synthesized. A mixture of HL and zinc(II) chloride in an alcoholic medium leads to [Zn(HL)₂Cl₂] (1). However, the same reactants gave another different complex (ZnL₂) (2) in the presence of NaOH. The two complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, elemental analysis, molar conductance, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, Pī space group; each asymmetric unit consists of one zinc(II), two HL, and two chlorides. The tetra coordination of central zinc is attained by two chlorides and two oxygens from the Schiff base, forming a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, P2₁/c space group; each asymmetric unit consists of one zinc(II) and two L. The tetra coordination of central zinc is attained by two nitrogens and two oxygens from the Schiff base, forming a distorted tetrahedral geometry.     

Novel platinum(II) and (IV) complexes of naphthaldimine schiff bases

Naphthaldimines containing N₂O₂ donor centers react with platinum(II) and (IV) chlorides to give two types of complexes depending on the valence of the platinum ion. For [Pt(II)], the ligand is neutral, [(H₂L¹)PtCl₂]·3H₂O (1) and [(H₂L³)₂Pt₂Cl₄]·5H₂O (3), or monobasic [(HL²)₂Pt₂Cl₂]·2H₂O (2) and [(HL⁴)₂Pt]·2H₂O (4). These complexes are all diamagnetic having square-planar geometry. For [Pt(IV)], the ligand is dibasic, [(L¹)Pt₂Cl₄(OH)₂]·2H₂O (5), [(L²)Pt₃Cl₁₀]·3H₂O (6), [(L³)Pt₂Cl₄(OH)₂]·C₂H₅OH (7) and [(L⁴)Pt₂Cl₆]·H₂O (8). The Pt(IV) complexes are diamagnetic and exhibit octahedral configuration around the platinum ion. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis and IR spectra, electrical conductivity and thermal analyses (DTA and TGA). The molar conductances in DMF solutions indicate that the complexes are non-ionic. The complexes were tested for their catalytic activities towards cathodic reduction of oxygen.     

Self-Assembly by Tridentate or Bidentate Ligand: Synthesis and Vapor Adsorption Properties of Cu(II), Zn(II), Hg(II) and Cd(II) Complexes Derived from a Bis(pyridylhydrazone) Compound

Four complexes, [Cu₄L₂(OCH₃)₂(CH₃OH)₂]·2H₂O (1), [Zn₂L₂Cl₄]·2H₂O·2CH₃OH (2), [Hg₂L₂Br₄]·4CH₃OH (3), and {[CdL₂Cl₂]·4H₂O·4CH₃OH}_n (4), have been synthesized and characterized from a bis(pyridylhydrazone) ligand (L) with copper(II), zinc(II), mercury(II) or cadmium(II), respectively. Complex 1 exists as a centrosymmetric tetranuclear dimer with L as deprotonated tridentate ligand. Complexes 2 and 3 exist as centrosymmetric metallamacrocycles with L as bidentate ligand. Complex 4 exists as a 1D looped-chain coordination polymer. The thermal stabilities and vapor adsorption properties of the four complexes were investigated as well.     

Syntheses,structures of Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) coordination complexes based on 3,4,5-trifluorobenzeneseleninic acid and N-donor ligands

Abstract

Five new coordination complexes [Mn^II (L₁)₂(4,4′-bpy)]_n (1), [Ni^II (L₁)₂(4,4′-bpy)]_n (2), [Zn^II (L₁)₂(4,4′-bpy)]_n (3), [Cu^II (L₁)₂(phen)₂]Cl₂ (4) and [Cu^II ₂(L₁)₂(2,2′-bpy)₂]Cl₂ (5) (HL₁?=?3,4,5-trifluorobenzeneseleninic acid, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. Complexes 1–3 display similar layers structures. In 1–3, the adjacent layers are further connected through π···π interactions to form three-dimensional supramolecular structures. Complexes 4 and 5 show a dimer containing an eight-membered ring. The dimer extends into three-dimensional supramolecular structures through π···π interactions, C–H···F and C–H···Cl interactions.     

Synthesis,Structure and Characterization of Two Novel Mercury(II) Complexes with N‐(2‐aminoethyl)piperazine

Two novel mercury(II) complexes [Hg^II(μ₂‐LH)Cl₂]₂[Hg^II₂(μ₂‐Cl)₂Cl₄]·2H₂O ( 1 ) and [Hg^II₄(μ₂‐L)₂(μ₂‐Cl)₂Cl₆] ( 2 ) have been synthesized by the reaction of N‐(2‐aminoethyl)piperazine (L) with HgCl₂ under different pH conditions. 1 and 2 were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The results reveal that in 1 there exist discrete mononuclear [Hg^II(μ₂‐LH)Cl₂]⁺ units and binuclear [Hg^II₂(μ₂‐Cl)₂Cl₄]²⁺ unit while in 2 there exist the rarely reported discrete cylic tetranuclear [Hg^II₄(μ₃‐L)₂(μ₂‐Cl)₂Cl₆] cluster units, which are both assembled into 3D supramolecular structures via extensive hydrogen‐bonding interactions. 1 and 2 were also characterized by element analysis, FT‐IR and luminescence spectra.     

Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) Complexation with Isatin Aminoguanisone and Nitroaminoguanisone

New complexes of bivalent Co, Ni, and Cu with isatin aminoguanisone (HL) and nitroaminoguanisone (HL¹) of the composition ([Co(HL)₂]Cl₂ (I), [Ni(HL)₂]Cl₂ (II), [Cu(L)Cl] (III), [Co(L¹)₂] (IV), [Ni(L¹)₂] (V), and [Cu(L¹)₂] (VI) are synthesized. Their molecular conductivities and effective magnetic moments are measured and thermal stabilities are studied. The type of the ligand coordination in I–VI is proposed on the basis of IR data. The summary of physicochemical data for I–VI and the energy calculations for their molecules by the molecular mechanics method made it possible to establish stoichiometry of the coordination polyhedra of the complexes.     

Zinc(II) and mercury(II) complexes with Schiff bases: syntheses,spectral, and structural characterization

Schiff bases o-vanilidene-1-aminobenzene (HL¹) and o-vanilidene-2-methyl-1-aminobenzene (HL²) lead to the formation of mono- and bis-[(Cl)Zn(L¹)] (1), [(Cl)Zn(L²)] (2), [(Cl)Hg(L¹)] (3), [(Cl)Hg(L²)] (4), [Zn(L¹)₂] (5), [Zn(L²)₂] (6), [Hg(L¹)₂] (7), and [Hg(L²)₂] (8) complexes by reactions of zinc(II) and mercury(II) chlorides in different mole ratio(s). Complexes 1–8 have been characterized by elemental analyses (Zn, Hg, C, H, Cl, and N), melting point and spectral (IR, ¹H-NMR), PXRD, molar conductivity measurement, and TGA. Conductivity measurements suggest non-electrolytes. Structural compositions have been assigned by mass spectral studies. Four-coordinate geometry may be assigned to these complexes tentatively. Structural study reveals that in 1–4 two metal centers are held together by two bridged (μ₂-Cl) chlorides, whereas 5–8 contain two bidentate Schiff-base ligands around one metal-producing monomers.     

New homoleptic metal complexes of Schiff bases derived from 2,4-di-p-tolyl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one

New bidentate Schiff-base ligands 2-(2,4-di-p-tolyl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide HL¹ and 2-(2,4-di-p-tolyl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ylidene)hydrazinecarboxamide HL² were synthesized from the condensation of 2,4-di-p-tolyl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one with thiosemicarbazide and semicarbazide, respectively. Homoleptic complexes of these ligands, of general formula K[Cr(L ⁿ )₂Cl₂], K₂[Mn(L ⁿ )₂Cl₂], K₂[Fe(L¹)₂Cl₂] and [M(L ⁿ )₂] (where M = Co(II), Ni(II) Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) ions; n = 1 or 2) are reported. The mode of bonding and overall geometry of the complexes were determined through IR, UV-Vis, NMR and mass spectral studies, magnetic moment measurements, elemental analysis, metal content, and conductance. These studies revealed octahedral geometry for Cr(III), Mn(II), and Fe(II) complexes, square planar for Cu(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) complexes and tetrahedral for Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) complexes.     

Crystal structure of tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) (aqua)hexachloromercurate(II) chloride [Co(En)3]2[Hg2(H2O)Cl6]Cl4

The compound [Co(En)₃]₂[Hg₂(H₂O)Cl₆]Cl₄ (I, En is ethylenediamine) has been synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals of I (a = 21.8745(14) Å, b = 10.6008(6) Å, c=15.4465(12) Å, space group Pna2₁) consist of tris(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) complexes (the unit cell contains two [Co(En)₃]³⁺ cations of opposite chirality). [Hg₂(H₂O)Cl₆]^2? anions, and isolated chloride ions. The complex anion consists of the tetrahedral [HgCl₄]^2? group (Hg-Cl, 2.44–2.56 Å) and the hydrated molecule [Hg(H₂O)Cl₂] (Hg-Cl, 2.301 and 2.308 Å; Hg-O, 2.788 Å) combined by weak Hg-Cl interactions (2.915 and 3.220 Å).     

Structural and spectral studies of nickel(II) complexes with N(4),N(4)-(butane-1,4-diyl) thiosemicarbazones

Nickel(II) complexes of quinoline-2-carbaldehyde N(4),N(4)-(butane-1,4-diyl) thiosemicarbazone (HL¹) and 2-benzoylpyridine N(4),N(4)-(butane-1,4-diyl) thiosemicarbazone (HL²) have been synthesized and physico-chemically characterized by means of partial elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements, magnetic measurements, electronic and infrared spectral studies. Three complexes were given the formulae [Ni(HL¹)₂]Cl₂ (1), [Ni(HL²)L²]ClO₄ · 7H₂O (2) and [NiL²Cl] · 0.5H₂O (3). The structure of compound 1 has been solved by single crystal X-ray crystallography and is found to be distorted octahedral. Compound 2, when crystallized in DMSO solution, got deprotonated to form a new compound [Ni(L²)₂] (2a), with a distorted octahedral Ni(II) center. In compound 1, HL¹ coordinates to the metal in the thione form, while in compounds 2a and 3, HL² coordinates in its deprotonated thiolate form.     

Copper(II) Complexes with Ethyl [(Pyrazolo-1-carbothioyl)-amino]acetate Derivatives: Synthesis and Structure

Optically active derivative of the natural monoterpene (+)-3-carene, namely, ethyl (3bS,4aR)-[(3,4,4-trimethyl-3b,4,4a,5-tetrahydrocyclopropa[3,4]cyclopenta[1,2-c]pyrazole-1-carbothioyl)-amino]acetate (HL¹) and ethyl [(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazole-1-carbothioyl)-amino]acetate (HL²) were synthesized. Paramagnetic complexes [CuL¹Cl] _n (I) and [Cu₂L² ₂Cl₂] (II) were prepared. According to X-ray diffraction data, complex Iwith anion of (+)-3-carene derivative has chain structure, whereas complex IIwith anion of HL², which has no carbocyclic fragments, is a pseudodimer. Organic anions act as tetradentate bridging, cyclic ligands forming five-membered CuN₃C and CuNOC₂metal cycles. Coordination polyhedron of Cu(ClN₂O + S) in complexes Iand IIis a square pyramid. The values of _efffor complexes Iand II(1.88 and 1.84 _B, respectively) are constant in the temperature interval 78–300 K, which means that the unpaired electrons of Cu(II) ions do not exhibit any noticeable exchange interactions.     

Tweaking the affinity of aryl‐substituted diazosalicylato‐ and pyridine ligands towards Zn (II) and its neighbors in the periodic system of the elements,Cu (II) and Cd (II), and their antimicrobial activity

A series of six new Zn (II) compounds, viz., [Zn(HL^ASA)₂(Py)₂] ( 1 ), [Zn(HL^MASA)₂(Py)₂] ( 2 ), [Zn(HL^MASA)₂(4‐MePy)₂] ( 3 ), [Zn(HL^CASA)₂(4‐MePy)₂] ( 4 ), [Zn(HL^BASA)₂(Py)₂] ( 5 ), [Zn(HL^BASA)₂(4‐MePy)₂] ( 6 ) and representative Cu (II) and Cd (II) complexes, viz., [Cu(HL^ASA)₂(Py)₂(H₂O)] ( 7 ) and [Cd(HL^BASA)₂(Py)₃] ( 8 ) [(HL^XASA)^? = para‐substituted 5‐[(E)‐2‐(aryl)‐1‐diazenyl]‐2‐hydroxybenzoate with X = H (ASA), Me (MASA), Cl (CASA) or Br (BASA); Py = pyridine; 4‐MePy = 4‐methylpyridine] have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The structural characterization of the compounds revealed distorted tetrahedral ( 1 – 6 ), square‐pyramidal ( 7 ) and pentagonal‐bipyramidal ( 8 ) coordination geometries around the metal atom, in which the aryl‐substituted diazosalicylate ligands are coordinated only through the oxygen atoms of carboxylate groups, either in an anisobidentate or isobidentate mode; meanwhile, the 2‐hydroxy groups of the monoanionic ligand (HL^XASA)^? are involved only in intramolecular O‐H···O hydrogen bonds with the carboxylate function. In the crystal structures of 1 – 8 , the complex molecules are assembled by π‐stacking interactions giving mostly infinite 1D strands. The intermolecular binding in the solid state structures is accomplished by diverse additional non‐covalent contacts including C‐H···O, C‐H···N, C‐H···π, C‐H···Br, O···Br, Br···π and van der Waals contacts. Although the primary and secondary ligands in the Zn (II) complex series 1 – 6 carry different substituents at the periphery (X = H, Me, Cl, Br for (HL^XASA)^? and R = H, Me for 4‐Py‐R), five of the crystal structures were isostructural. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of the pro‐ligands H₂L^XASA and their Zn (II), Cu (II) and Cd (II) compounds were studied in a comparative manner, showing high sensitivity (IZD ≥ 20) against Bacillus subtilis.     

Manganese(II) complexes of hydrazone based NNO-donor ligands and their catalytic activity in the oxidation of olefins

The reaction between tridentate NNO donor hydrazone ligands, (E)-2-cyano-N′-(phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)acetohydrazide (HL¹) and (E)-2-cyano-N′-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)acetohydrazide (HL²), with MnCl₂·4H₂O in methanol resulted in [Mn(HL¹)Cl₂(CH₃OH)] (1) and [Mn(HL²)Cl₂(CH₃OH)] (2). Molecular structures of the complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All of the investigated compounds were further characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, TGA, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. These complexes were used as catalysts for olefin oxidation in the presence of tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidant. Under similar experimental conditions with equal manganese loading, the presence of [Mn(HL²)Cl₂(CH₃OH)] (2) resulted in higher conversion than [Mn(HL¹)Cl₂(CH₃OH)] (1).     

Synthesis,structural characterization and substituent effects of two copper(II) complexes with benzaldehyde ortho-oxime ligands

Two new Cu(II) complexes, [Cu(L¹)₂] (1) and [Cu(L²)₂] (2) (HL¹ = (E)-3-bromo-5-chloro-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde O-methyl oxime; HL² = (E)-3-bromo-5-chloro-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde O-ethyl oxime), have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. X-ray crystallographic analyses show that complexes 1 and 2 have similar structures, consisting of one Cu(II) atom and two L⁻ units. In both complexes, the Cu(II) atom, lying on an inversion center, is four-coordinated in a trans-CuN₂O₂ square-planar geometry by two phenolate O and two oxime N atoms from two symmetry-related N,O-bidentate oxime ligands. Moreover, both complexes form an infinite three-dimensional supramolecular structure involving intermolecular C–H···Br hydrogen bonds and π···π stacking interactions between the metal chelate rings and aromatic rings. Substituent effects in the two complexes are discussed.     

Biological activities of pyridine-2-carbaldehyde Schiff bases derived from S-methyl- and S-benzyldithiocarbazate and their zinc(II) and manganese(II) complexes. Crystal Structure of the Manganese(II) complex of pyridine-2-carbaldehyde S-benzyldithiocarbazate

Transition metal complexes [Zn(L¹)₂] (I) and [Mn(L²)₂] (II), where HL¹ = pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde S-methyldithiocarbazate, HL² = pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde S-benzyldithiocarbazate, have been synthesized. Complex II was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The manganese(II) atom in complex II adopts a distorted octahedral geometry with the Schiff base coordinated to it as a uninegatively charged tridentate chelating agent via the pyridine and azomethine nitrogen atoms and the thiolate sulfur atom. Biological studies carried out in vitro against selected bacteria, fungi, and K562 leukemia cell line, respectively, have shown that the free ligands and their metal complexes exhibited distinctive differences in the biological properties. Ligand HL¹ and complex I have the marked and broad antimicrobial activities compared to HL² and complex II while only HL¹ and complex II show significant antitumor activity against K562 leukemia cell line, since they exhibit IC₅₀ values in the μM range.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic, and thermal analyses of trinuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes with some sulfa derivatives

New bi- and trihomonuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) complexes with sulfa-guanidine Schiff bases have been synthesized for potential chemotherapeutic use. The complexes are characterized using elemental and thermal (TGA) analyses, mass spectra (MS), molar conductance, IR, ¹H-NMR, UV-Vis, and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra as well as magnetic moment measurements. The low molar conductance values denote non-electrolytes. The thermal behavior of these chelates shows that the hydrated complexes lose water of hydration in the first step followed by loss of coordinated water followed immediately by decomposition of the anions and ligands in subsequent steps. IR and ¹H-NMR data reveal that ligands are coordinated to the metal ions by two or three bidentate centers via the enol form of the carbonyl C=O group, enolic sulfonamide S(O)OH, and the nitrogen of azomethine. The UV-Vis and ESR spectra as well as magnetic moment data reveal that formation of octahedral [Mn₂L¹(AcO)₂(H₂O)₆] (1), [Co₂(L¹)₂(H₂O)₈] (2), [Ni₂L¹(AcO)₂(H₂O)₆] (3), [Mn₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] (5), [Co₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] · 4H₂O (6), [Ni₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] · 7H₂O (7), [Mn₃L³(AcO)₃(H₂O)₆] (9), [Co₂(HL³)₂(H₂O)₈] · 4H₂O (10), [Ni₃L³(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] (11), [Mn₃L⁴(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] · H₂O (13), [Co₂(HL⁴)₂(H₂O)₈] · 5H₂O (14), and [Ni₃L⁴(AcO)₃(H₂O)₉] (15) while [Zn₂L¹(AcO)₂(H₂O)₂] (4), [Zn₃L²(AcO)₃(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O (8), [Zn₃L³(AcO)₃(H₂O)₃] · 3H₂O (12), and [Zn₃L⁴(AcO)₃(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O (16) are tetrahedral. The electron spray ionization (ESI) MS of the complexes showed isotope ion peaks of [M]⁺ and fragments supporting the formulation.     

Copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-arylhydrazones

Summary Copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) perchlorate complexes of 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(p-nitrophenyl-hydrazone) (HL¹), 5,5-dimethyl-cyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(p-chlorophenylhydrazone) (HL²), 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(o-chlorophenylhydrazone) (HL⁴), 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(o-methylphenyl-hydrazone) (HL⁵) and 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(m-methylphenylhydrazone) (HL⁶) have been prepared, and characterized using analytical, spectral and magnetic measurements. The data reveal that the reaction of Cu(ClO₄)₂ (1 mol) in EtOH, with all ligands, produces complexes of the type CuL(ClO₄)(H₂O).nH₂O. Nickel(II) and cobalt(II) perchlorates react only with HL¹ and HL² to produce the complexes ML(ClO₄)(H₂O)₃ (where M = Ni^II, L = L^– and L², M = Co^II, L = L¹) and Co(HL₂)₂-(ClO₄)₂.2H₂O. The spectral data show that the ligands behave as monobasic bidentate in their azo forms, except HL² which reacts with cobalt(II) as a neutral bidentate ligand in its hydrazone form.