Role of mononuclear rare earth metal complexes in promoting the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP)

Two long-chain multidentate ligands: 2,9-di-(n-2′,5′,8′-triazanonyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L₁) and 2,9-di-(n-4′,7′,10′-triazaundecyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L₂) were synthesized. The hydrolytic kinetics of p-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP) catalyzed by complexes of L₁ and L₂ with La(III) and Gd(III) have been studied in aqueous solution at 298 K, I = 0.10 mol · dm⁻³ KNO₃ at pH 7.5–9.1, respectively. The study shows that the catalytic effect of GdL1 was the best in the four complexes for hydrolysis of NPP. Its k_LnLH−1, k _LnL and pK _a are 0.0127 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹, 0.000022 mol⁻¹ dm³ s⁻¹ and 8.90, respectively. This paper expounds the result from the structure of the ligands and the properties of the metal ions, and deduces the catalysis mechanism.     

Studies on the Synthesis and Thermodynamic Stability of Two Multidentate Ligands 2,9-disubstituted 1,10-phenanthroline

Two multidentate ligands: N,N′-di-(propionic acid-2′-yl-)-2,9-di-aminomethylphenanthroline (L₁) and N,N′-di-(3′-methylbutyric acid-2′-yl-)-2,9-di-amino-methylphenanthroline (L₂) were synthesized and fully characterized by ¹H NMR and elemental analysis. The binding ability of L₁ and L₂ to metal ions such as M(II) (M = Cu, Zn, Co and Ni) and Ln(III) (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd) has been investigated by potentiometric titration in aqueous solution and 0.1 mol dm⁻³KNO₃ at 25.0 ± °C. In view of the structure of L₁ and L₂, mononuclear metal complexes can be formed in solution. The stability constants of binary complexes of ligands L1 and L2 with metal ions M(II) and Ln(III) have been determined respectively and further discussed.     

Mononuclear species LnL and LnLH<Subscript>−1</Subscript> based on 1,10-phenanthroline dibenzoimidazole derivatives as catalysts for hydrolysis of 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP)

Two novel multidentate ligands: 2,9-bis- -1,10-phenanthroline(L₁) and 2,9-bis- -1,10-phenanthroline(L₂) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. Protonation of the ligands and the stability of complexes of the ligands with rare earth metal ions were investigated. The mononuclear metal complexes [Gd^III and Sm^III] of the ligands were studied as catalysts for the transphosphorylation of the RNA-model substrate 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenylphosphate(HPNP). Kinetic studies show the second-order rate constants of HPNP hydrolysis catalyzed by complexes LnL and LnLH₋₁, respectively. We found that both LnL and LnLH₋₁ have catalytic activity, but GdL₁H₋₁ was the most efficient catalyst of them, which indicated that the structure of the ligands has obviously influence on the activity of corresponding complexes. A new mechanism was proposed for HPNP hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by LnL and LnLH₋₁.     

Dinuclear Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> metal complexes based on 1,10-phenanthroline derivates as catalysts for the hydrolysis of 2-hydroxypropyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP)

One multidentate ligand, 1,13-di-(1,10-phenanthroline-2-methylene)-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazatridecane(L), has been synthesized and characterized. The kinetics of hydrolysis of 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP) and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (NPP) catalyzed by complexes of L with Zn²⁺ have been studied. Both Zn₂L and Zn₂LH₋₁ had the ability to catalysis a hydrolysis of HPNP and NPP, and the kinetics of hydrolysis of HPNP and NPP were examined in aqueous solution at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C, I = 0.1 mol dm⁻³ KNO₃ at the pH range of 7.0–8.5, respectively. Kinetic studies showed that Zn₂LH₋₁ was a more active species than Zn₂L in the hydrolysis of HPNP and NPP. A new mechanism was proposed for the hydrolysis of HPNP and NPP catalyzed by Zn₂L and Zn₂LH₋₁.     

Studies on the Synthesis and Potentiometric Properties of Three Novel Tripodal Ligands and their Complexes

Three novel tripodal ligands, N,N′,N′′-tri-(3′-phenylpropionic acid-2′-yl-)-1,3,5-triaminomethylbenzene (Ll), N,N′,N′′-tri-(4′-methylvaleric acid-2′-y1-)-1,3,5-triaminomethylbenzene (L2) and N,N′,N′′-tri-(3′methylvaleric acid-2′-yl-)-1,3,5-triaminomethylbenzene (L3), have been synthesized and fully characterized. The stabilizing ability of complexes of the three ligands with transition metal ions Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) and rare earth metal ions La(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Eu(III) and Gd(III) has been investigated by the pontentiometric method in water and in aqueous KNO₃ (0.1 mol dm⁻³) at 25.0±0.1 °C, respectively. The results show that there is a great deal of difference between two series of complexes’ stabilities. An explanation of the difference has been given.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of chloroanilato-bridged manganese(II) binuclear complexes

Five chloroanilato-bridged manganese(II) binuclear complexes, [Mn₂(CA)L₄](ClO₄)₂, where L = 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (Me₂-bpy), 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me-phen), 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline (Cl-phen), 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (NO₂-phen) and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me₂-phen), and CA represents the dianion of chloroanilic acid, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivity and room temperature magnetic moment measurements, and by spectroscopy. It is proposed that these complexes have CA-bridged structures and consist of two manganese(II) ions in a distorted-octahedral environment. The complexes [Mn₂(CA)(Me₂-bpy)₄](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Mn₂(CA)(Me-phen)₄](ClO₄)₂ (2) were characterized by variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements (4–300 K) and the observed data were successfully simulated by an equation based on the spin Hamiltonian operator, Ĥ = −2JŜ ₁ Ŝ ₂, giving the exchange integral J = −1.98 cm⁻¹ for (1) and J = −2.41 cm⁻¹ for (2). This result indicates that there is a weak antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interaction between the two Mn^II ions within each molecule. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Copper(II) complexes of entwined 2,9-di(o-substituted phenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline type ligands and intramolecular quenching in copper(I) complexes

Cu¹¹ complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline, disubstituted at the 2 and 9 positions or monosubstituted at the 2 position by phenyl moieties possessingortho substituents, were prepared and investigated by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The electronic spectral d-d band position varies from 14 500 to 13 200 cm⁻¹. E.s.r. g_‖ values are between 2.256 to 2.283 and A_‖ between 164 to 117×10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹. Thebis[2,9-di(o-substituted phenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline]Cu¹¹ complexes undergo reversible one-electron electrochemical reduction (Cu¹¹/Cu¹) in the +0.536 to +0.825 V potential range versus s.c.e., whereas thebis[2-mono(o-substituted phenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline]Cu¹¹ complexes undergo reduction in the +0.360 to +0.405 V range; the redox couple is found to be quasireversible. Emission studies on copper(I) complexes show that onlybis[2,9-di(o-tolyl)-1,10-phen]Copper(I) complex exhibits emission properties. Emission behaviour of other structurally similar compounds is explored. TMC 2555     

Role of Mononuclear Rare Earth Metal Complexes in Promoting the Hydrolysis of 2-Hydroxypropyl p-Nitrophenyl Phosphate

Two long-chain multidentate ligands： 2,9-di-（n-2＇,5＇,8＇-triazanonyl）-1,10-phenanthroline （L^1） and 2,9-di- （n-4＇,7＇,10＇-triazaundecyl）-1,10-phenanthroline （L^2） were synthesized. The hydrolytic kinetics of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate （HPNP） catalyzed by the complexes of L^1 or L^2 with La（Ⅲ） or Gd（Ⅲ） have been studied in aqueous solution at （298.2±0.1） K, I=0.10 mol·dm^-3 KNO3 in pH 7.5-9.1, respectively, finding that the catalytic effect of GdL^1 was the best among the four complexes for hydrolysis of HPNP. Its kLnLH-1, kLnLand pKa are 0.047 mol^-1·L·s^-1, 0.000074 mol^-1·L·s^-1 and 8.90, respectively. This paper expounded the studied result with the structure of the ligands and the properties of the metal ions, and deduced the catalysis mechanism.     

Binuclear iron(III) complexes bridged by terephthalato groups

Six new μ-terephthalato iron(III) binuclear complexes have been prepared and identified: [Fe₂(TPHA)(L)₄]-(ClO₄)₄ [L = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy); 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (Me₂bpy); 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me-phen); 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline (Cl-phen) and 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (NO₂-phen)]; where TPHA = the terephthalate dianion. Based on the elemental analyses, molar conductance and magnetic moments of room-temperature measurements, and spectroscopic studies, extended TPHA-bridged structures consisting of two iron(III) ions, each in an octahedral environment, are proposed for these complexes. The [Fe₂(TPHA)(Me-phen)₄](ClO₄)₄ (1) and [Fe₂(TPHA)(phen)₄](ClO₄)₄ (2) complexes were characterized by variable temperature magnetic susceptibility (4–300 K) measurements and the observed data were successfully simulated by the equation based on the spin Hamiltonian operator, Ĥ = −2JŜ ₁ Ŝ ₂, giving the exchange integrals J = −1.05 cm⁻¹ for (1) and J = −9.28 cm⁻¹ for (2). This result indicates the presence of a weak antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interaction between the metal ions within each molecule. The influence of the terminal ligand methyl substituents on magnetic interactions between the metals is also discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Outer-Sphere electron-transfer and the effect of linkage isomerism in the titanium(III) reduction of nitro-pentacyanocobaltate(III) and nitro-, and nitrito-pentaamminecobalt(III) complexes in aqueous acidic media

The reductions of [Co(CN)₅NO₂]³⁻, [Co(NH₃)₅NO₂]²⁺ and [Co(NH₃)₅ONO]²⁺, by Ti^III in aqueous acidic solution have been studied spectrophotometrically. Kinetic studies were carried out using conventional techniques at an ionic strength of 1.0 mol dm⁻³ (LiCl/HCl) at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C and acid concentrations between 0.015 and 0.100 mol dm⁻³. The second-order rate constant is inverse—acid dependent and is described by the limiting rate law:- k₂ ≈ k₀ + k[H⁺]⁻¹,where k=k′K_a and K_a is the hydrolytic equilibrium constant for [Ti(H₂O)₆]³⁺. Values of k₀ obtained for [Co(CN)₅NO₂]³⁻, [Co(NH₃)₅NO₂]²⁺ and [Co(NH₃)₅ONO]²⁺ are (1.31 ± 0.05) × 10⁻² dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, (4.53 ± 0.08) × 10⁻² dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ and (1.7 ± 0.08) × 10⁻² dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively, while the corresponding k′ values from reductions by TiOH²⁺ are 10.27 ± 0.45 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, 14.99 ± 0.70 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 17.93 ± 0.78 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively. Values of K _a obtained for the three complexes lie in the range (1–2) × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ which suggest an outer-sphere mechanism.     

Ion-pair formation in the outer-sphere electron transfer reactions between tris-(1, 10) phenanthroline iron(II) and the halopentacyanocobaltate(III) complexes in aqueous acidic solutions

The kinetics of the reactions between Fe(phen) ₃ ²⁺ [phen = tris–(1,10) phenanthroline] and Co(CN)₅X³⁻ (X = Cl, Br or I) have been investigated in aqueous acidic solutions at I = 0.1 mol dm⁻³ (NaCl/HCl). The reactions were carried out at a fixed acid concentration ([H⁺] = 0.01 mol dm⁻³) and the second-order rate constants for the reactions at 25 °C were within the range of (0.151–1.117) dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. Ion-pair constants K _ip for these reactions, taking into consideration the protonation of the cobalt complexes, were 5.19 × 10⁴, 3.00 × 10² and 4.02 × 10⁴ mol⁻¹ dm⁻³ for X = Cl, Br and I, respectively. Activation parameters measured for these systems were as follows: ΔH* (kJ K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) = 94.3 ± 0.6, 97.3 ± 1.0 and 109.1 ± 0.4; ΔS* (J K⁻¹) = 69.1 ± 1.9, 74.9 ± 3.2 and 112.3 ± 1.3; ΔG* (kJ) = 73.7 ± 0.6, 75.0 ± 1.0 and 75.7 ± 0.4; E _a (kJ) = 96.9 ± 0.3, 99.8 ± 0.4, and 122.9 ± 0.3; A (dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = (7.079 ± 0.035) × 10¹⁶, (1.413 ± 0.011) × 10¹⁷, and (9.772 ± 0.027) × 10²⁰ for X = Cl, Br, and I respectively. An outer – sphere mechanism is proposed for all the reactions.     

Synthesis of mixed-ligand managanese(II) complexes with alkyl xanthate ions and nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Crystal and molecular structure of the [Mn(S2COC3H7−i )2(2,2′-Bipy)] complex

We have synthesized high-spin mixed-ligand Mn²⁺ complexes Mn(S₂COR)₂L where R=i−C₃H₇, i−C₄H₉; [L=1,10-phenanthroline (Phen), 2,2′-bipyridyl (2,2′-Bipy), 4,4′-bipyridyl (4,4′-Bipy)]. As solids, the compounds are stable to oxidation by atmospheric oxygen. An X-ray structural study of the [Mn(S₂COC₃H₇−i)₂(2,2′-Bipy)] complex was carried out. The structure is composed of discrete monomeric molecules. The corrdination polyhedron of the Mn atom is a distorted [4S+2N] octahedron. The molecules are bonded by van der Waals interactions. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 106–111, March–April, 1994. Translated by T. Yudanova     

Kinetics of ferrocenoylacetonato substitution from (1,5-cyclooctadiene)(ferrocenoylacetonato)rhodium(I) with 2,2′-dipyridyl and derivatives of 1,10-phenanthroline

Treatment of MeOH solutions of [Rh(cod)(fca)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, fca = ferrocenoylacetonato) with seven derivatives of 1,10-phenanthroline (N,N), as well as with the (N,N) ligand 2,2-dipyridyl, gave [Rh(cod)(N,N)]⁺. The kinetics of these reactions follow the rate law: Rate = k[Rh(cod)(fca)[N,N] The temperature dependence of all the studied substitutions resulted in activation entropies, S , more negative than –100 J K^–1 mol^–1 which is indicative of associative mechanisms. The pK _a's of the incoming phenanthroline derivatives were between 3.03 and 6.31 but did not influence the reaction rate to any significant extent. This implies that the rate determining step during the substitution involves Rh—O bond breaking and not Rh—N bond formation. Substitution of fca with 2,2-dipyridyl was slightly faster (k = 118 dm³ mol^–1 s^–1) than with the 1,10-phenanthroline derivatives (k _average = 14.2 dm³ mol^–1 s^–1) and may be attributed to the free rotation capability of the two pyridyl rings about the 1-1 carbon–carbon axis in 2,2-dipyridyl. 1,10-Phenanthroline cannot rotate about the corresponding carbon axis.     

Synthesis,structure and magnetic studies of copper(II)-nickel(II) complexes withN,N′-bis(2-aminopropyl)oxamidocopper(II)

Three novel heterobinuclear complexes have been prepared and identified as [Cu(oxap)Ni(L)₂](ClO₄)₂·ξH₂O, where oxap denotes theN,N′-bis(2-aminopropyl)oxamido dianion and L denotes 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (NO₂-phen). The crystal structure of [Cu(oxap)Ni(phen)₂]-(ClO₄)₂·2H₂O has been determined. Crystal data: triclinic, space group , a=12.079 (6), b=12.409 (4), c=17.261 (8) ?, α=70.91 (2), β=86.72 (4), γ=89.19 (3)^o. At room temperature, Z=2. The Cu^II is in a square planar environment and the Ni^II is in an octahedral environment. The Cu−Ni distance is 5.292 ?. The temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibilities of [Cu(oxap)Ni(phen)₂]-(ClO₄)₂·2H₂O and [Cu(oxap)Ni(bipy)₂](ClO₄)₂ have been studied in the 4.2–300 K range, giving the exchange integral J=−92.4 cm⁻¹ for bipy and J=−94.3 cm⁻¹ for phen. These results are commensurate with antiferromagnetic interactions between the adjacent metal ions.     

Synthesis and characterization of manganese(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) Schiff-base complexes derived from 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxaldehyde and 2-mercaptoethylamine

The synthesis of a new Schiff base containing 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxaldehyde and 2-mercaptoethylamine is described. The reaction of 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxaldehyde with 2-mercaptoethylamine leads to 2,9-bis(2-ethanthiazolinyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (I) which undergoes rearrangement when reacted with manganese, nickel, copper or zinc ions to produce complexes of the tautomeric Schiff base 2,9-bis[2-(2-mercaptoethyl)-2-azaethene]-1,10-phenanthroline (L). The [M(L)Cl₂] complexes [where M = Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions] were characterized by physical and spectroscopic measurements which indicated that the ligand is a tetradentate N₄ chelating agent.     

Protonation of Chloro-, Bromo- and Iodo-pentacyanocobaltate(III) Complexes

The reactions between Fe(Phen)₃²⁺[phen = tris-(1,10) phenanthroline] and Co(CN)₅X³⁻ (X = Cl, Br or I) have been studied in aqueous acidic solutions at 25 °C and ionic strength in the range I = 0.001–0.02 mol dm⁻³ (NaCl/HCl). Plots of k₂ versus √I, applying Debye–Huckel Theory, gave the values −1.79 ± 0.18, −1.65 ± 0.18 and 1.81 ± 0.10 as the product of charges (Z_AZ_B) for the reactions of Fe(Phen)₃²⁺ with the chloro-, bromo- and iodo- complexes respectively. Z_AZ_B of ≈ −2 suggests that the charge on these Co^III complexes cannot be −3 but is −1. This suggests the possibility of protonation of these Co^III complexes. Protonation was investigated over the range [H⁺] = 0.0001 −0.06 mol dm⁻³ and the protonation constants K_a obtained are 1.22 × 10³, 7.31 × 10³ and 9.90 × 10² dm⁶ mol⁻³ for X = Cl, Br and I, respectively.     

Spectrophotometric Investigation of the Complexing Reaction between Rutin and Titanyloxalate Anion in 50% Ethanol

Summary.  In the present work, rutin (3,3′ ,4′ ,5,7-pentahydrohyflavone-3-rhamnoglucoside) was determinated via a complexing reaction with a titanyloxalate anion. K₂[TiO(C₂O₄)₂] and rutin react in 50% ethanol forming a 1:2 complex in a pH range from 4.00 to 11.50, in which the TiO(C₂O₄)₂ ²⁻ ion is linked to rutin through the 4-carbonyl and 5-hydroxyl group. The thermodynamic stability constant log β₂ ⁰ of the complex is determined to 10.80 at pH = 6.50. The change of the standard Gibbs free energy Δ G⁰ amounts to −61 kJċ mol⁻¹, indicating that the process of complex formation is spontaneous. The optimal conditions for the spectrophotometric determination of microconcentrations of rutin are at pH=6.40 and λ= 430 nm, where the complex shows an absorption maximum with a molar absorption coefficient a ₄₃₀=(60±2)ċ10³ dm³ċ mol⁻¹ċ cm⁻¹. The method is applied rutin determination from tablets. Received January 4, 2000. Accepted (revised) February 17, 2000     

Anti- and pro-oxidant properties of sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulphonate (Mesna)

The ^•OH and the NO₂ ^• radicals generated pulse radiolytically in N₂O-saturated aqueous solution at pH 8–8.5 oxidize Mesna to form the corresponding thiyl radicals which on reaction with thiolate ions form an RSSR^{• −} type of transient with λ_max = 420 nm. The rate constants for the formation of these transients were determined. In the absence of O₂ at pH=6, the RS^• radicals formed show an absorption maximum at 360 nm and an ε=200±50 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The rate constant k (^•OH+RSH) was 6×10⁹ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ as determined from competition kinetics. In the presence of O₂ the Mesna thiyl radical was seen to rapidly add oxygen to form an RSOO^• type of species with λ_max = 535 nm, ε=700±50 dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and k (RS^•+O₂)=1.3×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. Both the RS^• and the RSOO^• radicals formed by the oxidation of Mesna were able to abstract H-atoms from ascorbate ions and k(RS^• +AH⁻)=~k(RSOO^•+AH⁻)=~6−7×10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s^−1-. Moderately strong oxidants like CCl₃OO^• and the (CH₃)₃CO^• radicals, having a reduction potential of +1.4−1.6 V vs NHE were unable to oxidize Mesna. The results thus reflect on the pro- and anti-oxidant properties of Mesna.     

Displacement reactions of 2-chloro- and 2,9-dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline: synthesis of a sulfur-bridged bis-1,10-phenanthroline macrocycle and a 2,2′-amino-substituted-bis-1,10-phenanthroline

The synthesis and structural assignments of 9-chloro-1,1-phenanthroline-2(1H)-thione and 1,10-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dithione have been accomplished. The sulfur-bridged bis-1,10-phenanthroline macrocycle was readily prepared by heating the thione or equimolar amounts of the dithione and 2,9-dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline in diphenyl ether. Displacements of 2-chloro- or 2,9-dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline with N,N-dimethylethylenediamine afforded the corresponding amine and diamino analogues. An amino-substituted-2,2′-bis-1,10-phenanthroline has been prepared.     

Synthesis of transition metal complexes containing a Schiff base ligand derived from 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxaldehyde and 2-aminobenzenethiol

The synthesis of a new Schiff base containing 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxaldehyde and 2-aminobenzenethiol subunits is described. The reaction of 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxaldehyde with 2-aminobenzenethiol leads to the isolation of 2,9-bis(2-benzothiazolinyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (I) which undergoes rearrangement when reacted with cobalt, nickel, copper or zinc ions to produce complexes of the tautomeric Schiff base 2,9-bis[2-(2-mercaptophenyl)-2-azaethene]-1,10-phenanthroline (L). The [Cu(L)ClO₄][ClO₄] and [M(L)X₂] complexes (where M = Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) and X = Br) were characterized by physical and spectroscopic measurements which indicated that the ligand is acting probably as a tetradentate N₄ chelating agent.