H-type aggregation of functional metal ion sensing phthalocyanines: Synthesis,characterization and electrochemistry

We report, in this study, the preparation and physical characterization of the peripherally functionalized ionophore ligand, 4,5-bis(6-hydroxyhexan-3ylthio)-1,2-dicyanobenzene (1) and its branched thioalcohol-substituted phthalocyanines, 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octakis{6-hydroxyhexan-3-ylthio)-metal (II) or (III) phthalocyanines {M{Pc[SCH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₈} {M = Pb(II) (2), Zn(II) (3), Cu(II) (4), Co(II) (5) and Mn(III), X = Cl⁻ (6)} which can selectively bind soft-metal ions such as silver (I) and palladium (II). It was observed by means of UV–Vis absorption spectrophotometry that the aggregates formed lead to a low solubility of the phthalocyanines in protic solvents, such as low molecular alcohols. However, the addition of AgNO₃ and Na₂PdCl₄ into a THF–MeOH solution of {M{Pc[SCH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₈X} {M = Pb(II) (2), Zn(II) (3), Cu(II) (4), Co(II) (5) and Mn(III), X = Cl⁻ (6)} induced optical changes, which indicated the formation of twisted H-type dimers (blue shift, face-to-face fashion) of {M{Pc[SCH(C₃H₇)(C₂H₅OH)]₈} complexes, bound by four PdCl₂ and AgNO₃ units in THF solution. Elemental analysis data, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS), FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, and UV–Vis spectral data were used as complementary techniques. Voltammetry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of the complexes were performed on Pt in DMSO/TBAP. The first reduction and oxidation processes of 5 were found to be split due to the presence of facile equilibria between the species coordinated differently at axial positions. The Mn(III)Pc(−2)X⁻ complex (6) displayed well-defined colour changes during its reduction processes. The redox behaviour of the Mn(III)Pc(−2)X⁻ complex was observed to be affected significantly by the existence of oxygen in solution due to the formation of μ-oxo MnPc species, Mn(III)Pc–O–PcMn(III). This effect was clarified well by in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements.     

Selective metal sensor phthalocyanines bearing non-peripheral functionalities: Synthesis,spectroscopy, electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry

A novel alcohol-soluble ionophore ligand and its non-peripherally tetrasubstituted functional 1,8,15,22-tetrakis(6-hydroxyhexylsulfanyl) metallophthalocyanines M[Pc(α-SC₆H₁₂OH)₄] (M = Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II); Pc = phthalocyanine) are reported. The aggregation and cation binding behaviors of the phthalocyanine compounds in the presence of soft Ag^I and Pd^II metal ions were investigated by using UV–Vis spectroscopy. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, ESI and MALDI–TOF–MS mass spectra. Voltammetric and in-situ spectroelectrochemical studies show that while copper and zinc phthalocyanine complexes give well-defined ring-based reduction and oxidation processes, the cobalt phthalocyanine gives both metal-based and ring-based redox processes which have reversible and diffusion controlled character.     

Synthesis,electrochemical, in situ spectroelectrochemical and in situ electrocolorimetric characterization of new phthalocyanines peripherally fused to four flexible crown ether moieties

Novel Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) phthalocyanines with four peripheral 4-[methyleneoxy(18-crown-6)] groups have been synthesized via the cyclic tetramerization of 4-[{(18-crown-6)-yl}methyleneoxy]phthalonitrile and the corresponding metal salts (NiCl₂, Zn(CH₃COO)₂, CoCl₂ and CuCl₂). The thermal stabilities of the metal-free and metallophthalocyanine compounds were determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The structures of the target compounds were confirmed using elemental analysis, IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, UV–Vis and MS spectral data. Voltammetric and in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements show that while the cobalt phthalocyanine complex gives both metal-based and ring-based redox processes, the metal-free, nickel, zinc and copper phthalocyanines show only ring-based reduction and oxidation processes. An in situ electrocolorimetric method has been applied to investigate the color of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes.     

Peripheral and non-peripheral-designed multifunctional phthalocyanines; synthesis, electrochemistry, spectroelectrochemistry and metal ion binding studies

A novel type of ionophore ligands, 3′-(2,3-dihydroxypropylthio)-phthalonitrile and 4′(2,3-dihydroxypropylthio)-phthalonitrile, and their α- and β-tetrasubstituted metallo phthalocyanines, (MPc), (M = Zn^II, Co^II, Mn^IIICl, Fe^IIIAc, Cu^II) have been prepared and fully characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and MS (ESI and Maldi-TOF). The complexes are soluble in both polar and non-polar solvents, such as MeOH and EtOH, THF, CHCl₃ and CH₂Cl₂. The spectroscopic properties of the complexes are affected strongly by the electron-donating sulfanyl units on the periphery of the phthalocyanines. The cation binding properties of the complexes, for example using Ag^I and Pd^II, were evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the results show the formation of polynuclear phthalocyanine complexes. Functional donors on the periphery of the zinc and copper complexes coordinate to Ag^I and Pd^II to give ca. a 2:1 metal-phthalocyanine complex binding ratio for the concentration of 2.5 × 10⁻⁵ M (Pc) and 1.0 × 10⁻³ M (Metal ions). Voltammetric and in-situ spectroelectrochemical studies were performed to characterize the redox behavior of the complexes. An in-situ electrocolorimetric method was applied to investigate the colors of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes.     

Synthesis,electrochemistry and in situ spectroelectrochemistry of a new Co(III) thio Schiff-base complex with N,N′-bis(2-aminothiophenol)-1,4-bis(carboxylidene phenoxy)butane

A new cobalt Schiff-base complex, [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] (where L = [N,N′-bis(2-aminothiophenol)-1,4-bis(carboxylidene phenoxy)butane), was synthesized and its electrochemical and spectroelectochemical properties were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and thin-layer spectro-electrochemistry in solutions of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂). The [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] complex displays two well-defined reversible reduction processes with the corresponding anodic waves. The half-wave potentials of the first and second reduction processes were displayed at E_1/2 = 0.08 V and E_1/2 = −1.21 V (scan rate: 0.100 Vs⁻¹) in DMSO, and E_1/2 = −0.124 V and E_1/2 = −1.32 V (scan rate: 0.100 Vs⁻¹) in CH₂Cl₂. The potentials of the reduction processes in DMSO are shifted toward negative potentials (0.220–0.112 V) compared to those in CH₂Cl₂. The electrochemical results are assigned to two one-electron reduction processes; [Co(III)L] + ⁻e → [Co(II)L]⁻ and [Co(II)L]⁻ + ⁻e → [Co(I)L]²⁻. The six-coordination of the complex remains unchanged during the reduction processes and the electron transfer processes were not followed by a chemical reaction upon scan reversal. It was also seen that [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] was reduced at a more positive potential than the corresponding salen analogs. The shift and reversibility are apparently related to the high degree of electron delocalization of the [Co(L)(OH)(H₂O)] complex, having a N₂O₂S₂ donor set and two additional benzene units. Additionally, in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements support Co(III)/Co(II) and Co(II)/Co(I) reversible reduction processes with the observation of the corresponding spectral changes with the applied potentials E_app = −0.40 and −1.60 V. Application of the spectroelectrochemical results allowed the determination ofE_1/2 and n (the number of electrons) from the spectra of the fully oxidized and reduced species in one unified experiment as well. The results obtained by this method are in agreement with those by the CV and DPV methods.     

Polytopic cation receptor functional phthalocyanines: Synthesis,characterization, electrochemistry and metal ion binding

Our efforts toward the development of the synthesis of a novel type of receptor ligand and its tetrasubstituted phthalocyanines, 2,9,16,23-tetrakis(6-hydroxyhexylsulfanyl) phthalocyanine, M[Pc(S–C₆H₁₃OH)₄] (M = Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II)), bearing sulfur and oxygen donor atoms on the periphery together with hexyl moieties, have been carried out together with spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization. The newly synthesized functional phthalocyanines were soluble in MeOH, EtOH, THF, DMF, CNP (α-chloronapthalene), DMSO and quinoline, and less soluble in i-PrOH and CH₃CN. Cation binding abilities of the functional phthalocyanines with Ag⁺, Pd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Cd²⁺, resulting in the formation of polynuclear phthalocyanine complexes, were evaluated by UV–Vis spectroscopic techniques. The spectroscopic properties of the complexes were affected strongly by the electron-donating sulfanyl units on the periphery. The cyclic voltammetry of the complexes were examined on a platinum electrode in DMSO. The new synthesized compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, MS (ESI and MALDI-TOF) and UV–Vis spectral data.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of manganese, nickel and iron octakis-(2-diethylaminoethanethiol)-phthalocyanine

The syntheses, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of manganese (3), nickel (4) and iron (5) phthalocyanine complexes, octa-substituted at the peripheral positions with diethlyaminoethanethiol substituent, are reported. The electrochemistry of these complexes and the corresponding cobalt complex (6) are reported. Complex 3 showed two reversible reduction couples attributed to the Mn^IIIPc⁻²/Mn^IIPc⁻² (E_½ = −0.12 V versus Ag|AgCl) and Mn^IIPc⁻²/Mn^IIPc⁻³ (E_½ = −0.82 V versus Ag|AgCl) species. Two ring-based reduction couples were also observed for complex 4. Two reduction couples, assigned to the Fe^IIPc⁻²/Fe^IPc⁻² (E_½ = −0.35 V versus Ag|AgCl) and Fe^IPc⁻²/Fe^IPc⁻³ (E_½ = −0.96 V versus Ag|AgCl) species, and an oxidation couple, attributed to Fe^IIIPc⁻²/Fe^IIPc⁻² (E_½ = 0.26 V versus Ag|AgCl) species, were observed. For complex 6, two reductions and one oxidation were also observed with the potential range of 1.2 to −1.8 V versus Ag|AgCl Spectroelectrochemical studies were used to confirm some of the assigned processes.     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrochemical,electrical and gas sensing properties of a novel tert-butylcalix[4]arene bridged bis double-decker lutetium(III) phthalocyanine

A novel tert-butylcalix[4]arene bridged bis double-decker lutetium(III) phthalocyanine (Lu₂Pc₄) (5) has been synthesized by the reaction of dimeric lutetium(III) phthalocyanine (4) with two equiv. of dilithium octakis hexylthiophthalocyanine in amyl alcohol. The phthalonitrile derivative 1 was obtained through the displacement reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile with 1,3-dimethoxy-4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene and was converted to the isoindoline derivative 2 by bubbling ammonia gas in dry MeOH. Compound 4 was prepared from 2, 4,5-bis(hexylthio)-1,2-diiminoisoindoline (3), and lutetium acetate in dry DMF. The new compounds and phthalocyanines were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–Vis, ¹H NMR, ESR and MALDI-TOF MS spectra. The electrochemical properties of 4 and 5 have been examined by cyclic voltammetry, and compared. Distinctive differences between the voltammetric behaviour of 4 and 5 were detected. These differences were compatible with the structures of the compounds. A detailed study of the effect of temperature on the d.c. conductivity and impedance spectra (40–10⁵ Hz) of spin coated films of 4 and 5 at temperatures between 290 K and 420 K was carried out. By analyzing the d.c. electrical behaviour of the 5 film, it was found that the experimental data are described by a thermally activated conductivity dependence on temperature with an activation energy of 0.77 eV. The a.c. results give a power law behaviour, σ_a.c. = A(T)ω^s, in which the frequency exponent s decreases with temperature. The sensing behaviour of the film for the online detection of volatile organic solvent vapors was investigated by utilizing an AT-cut quartz crystal resonator. It was observed that the adsorption of the target molecules on the coating surface cause a reversible negative frequency shift of the resonator. Thus, a variety of solvent vapors can be detected by using the 5 film as sensitive coating, with sensitivity in the ppm and response times in the order of several seconds depending on the dipole moment of the organic solvent.     

Synthesis, characterization and some properties of novel bis(pentafluorophenyl)methoxyl substituted metal free and metallophthalocyanines

The preparation of some new tetrakis[bis(pentafluorophenyl)methoxyl] substituted metal free and metallophthalocyanine (MPcs) complexes were achieved by the tetramerization of 4-[bis(pentafluorophenyl)methoxy]phthalonitrile with Li metal in pentan-1-ol or metal [Co(II) or Zn(II)] acetates in DMAE, respectively. The structures of the target compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, IR, UV–vis, ¹H NMR, ¹⁹F NMR and mass spectroscopic methods. MPcs are soluble only in strong and medium polar solvents while the metal free one is soluble in weakly, medium and strong polar solvents. The temperature and frequency dependence of the electrical conductivities were studied on spin coated films of the compounds using dc and impedance spectroscopy techniques in the frequency range from 40 to 10⁵ Hz and within the temperature range from 290 to 440 K. The temperature dependence of the exponent s and conductivity, σ_ac, were completely in agreement with the prediction of the hopping model. The redox properties of the complexes were determined by cyclic voltammetry. The nature of the redox processes was also confirmed using spectroelectrochemical measurements.     

Synthesis,electrochemical, in situ spectroelectrochemical and in situ electrocolorimetric characterization of new metal-free and metallophthalocyanines substituted with 4-{2-[2-(1-naphthyloxy)ethoxy]ethoxy} groups

The synthesis of novel metal-free and metallophthalocyanines [Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Cu(II)] were prepared by cyclotetramerization of a novel 4-{2-[2-(1-naphthyloxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}phthalonitrile and the corresponding metal salts (NiCl₂, Zn(CH₃COO)₂, CoCl₂ and CuCl₂). The structures of the target compounds were confirmed using elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–Vis and MS spectral data. Voltammetric and in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements show that while cobalt phthalocyanine complex gives both metal-based and ring-based redox processes, metal-free, and zinc phthalocyanines show only ring-based reduction and oxidation processes. All complexes decomposed and coated on the electrode as nonconductive film at positive potential window of the electrolyte. An in situ electrocolorimetric method has been applied to investigate color of the electro-generated anionic and cationic forms of the complexes.     

Synthesis and electrochemistry of Group 6 tetracarbonyl (N,N′-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)ethylenediamine)metal(0) complexes

Thermal substitution reaction of Cr(CO)₄(η^2:2-1,5-cyclooctadiene), Mo(CO)₄(η^2:2-norbornadiene), and W(CO)₅(η²-bis(trimethylsilyl)ethyne) with N,N′-bis(ferrocenylmethylene)ethylenediamine (bfeda) yields M(CO)₄(bfeda) complexes which could be isolated from the reaction solution and characterized by elemental analysis, MS, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. In the case of tungsten, W(CO)₅(bfeda) is formed as intermediate and then undergoes the ring closure reaction yielding the ultimate product W(CO)₄(bfeda). The electrochemical behavior of the M(CO)₄(bfeda) complexes was studied by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in dichloromethane with tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate as electrolyte. Constant potential electrolysis of the complexes was performed successively at their peak potentials at 0 °C in their CH₂Cl₂ solution and the electrolysis was followed by in situ recording the electronic absorption spectra in every 5 mC. In the electrolysis of Cr(CO)₄(bfeda), the central Cr(0) is oxidized first and electrolysis continues with oxidations of two ferrocenyl groups until the end of totally three moles of electron passage per mole of complex. In the electrolysis of Mo(CO)₄(bfeda) and W(CO)₄(bfeda) the first oxidation occurs on the central atom forming a short-lived species which undergoes an intramolecular one-electron transfer and is reduced back to M(0) while one of the ferrocene units is oxidized to the ferrocenium cation at the same time. This indicates that the electron is transferred from iron to the central metal atom.     

Synthesis, structures and spectroelectrochemistry of methyl-substituted bis(η-indenyl)iron(II) complexes

Several new methyl-substituted indenyl ferrocenes were prepared by metathesis reactions of the indenide (generated from the appropriate indene with BuLi) with ferrous chloride. The indenides used to prepare new ferrocenes were: 2-methyl-, 1,2-dimethyl-, 4,7-dimethyl-, 1,4,7-trimethyl-, and 1,3,4,7-tetramethyl-indenide. These indenyl ferrocenes, along with those prepared from indenide, 1-methylindenide, and 1,3-dimethylindenide, were then characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, UV/visible spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and mass spectrometry. The cyclic voltammetry showed an additive relationship between oxidation potential and the number of methyl groups which is also position-dependent, whereas the UV/visible spectra showed two absorptions essentially unaffected by methyl substitution. Additionally, bis(2-methylindenyl)iron(II) and bis(4,7-dimethylindenyl)iron(II) were characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis,characterization and electrochemical properties of amphiphilic axially-disubstituted silicon(IV) phthalocyanines

The new 2-[2-(6-tert-butyl-2H-1,3-benzoxazin-3(4H)-yl)ethoxy]ethanol 1 and 2-[2-(6-pentyl-2H-1,3-benzoxazin-3(4H)-yl)ethoxy]ethanol 2 have been synthesized. Axially disubstituted silicon phthalocyanines 3 and 4 have been synthesized by introducing 2-[2-(6-tert-butyl-2H-1,3-benzoxazin-3(4H)-yl)ethoxy]ethanol and 2-[2-(6-pentyl-2H-1,3-benzoxazin-3(4H)-yl)ethoxy]ethanol at the axial positions of silicon(IV) phthalocyanine, respectively. The electrochemical properties of silicon phthalocyanines 3 and 4 were also investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry. Voltammetric studies show that while 3 showed two reversible reduction and one irreversible oxidation couples, 4 showed two quasi-reversible reduction and one irreversible oxidation couples.     

Electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry of tert-butylcalix[4]arene bridged bis double-decker lutetium(III) phthalocyanine, Lu2Pc4 and dimeric lutetium(III) phthalocyanine, Lu2Pc2(OAc)2

In this study, electrochemical, electrochromic and spectroelectrochemical properties of a tert-butylcalix[4]arene bridged bis double-decker lutetium(III) phthalocyanine (Lu₂Pc₄ 2) were investigated explicitly as compared with a tert-butylcalix[4]arene bridged dimeric lutetium(III) phthalocyanine [Lu₂Pc₂(OAc)₂ 1]. Distinctive differences between electrochemical and electrochromic properties of 1 and 2 were detected. Moreover, the properties of 1 and 2 were compared with previously reported S₄(CH₂)₄ bridged Lu₂Pc₂(OAc)₂ and Lu₂Pc₄. The calixarene bridged phthalocyanine (Pc) compounds, 1 and 2 showed well-defined electrochromic behaviour with green-blue and blue-purple colour transitions. The enhanced electrochromic properties of 2, as compared to 1, were attributed to its double-decker structure, probably allowing the formation of suitable ion channels for the counter ion movement in the solid film.     

Synthesis,characterization and electrochemical properties of novel metal free and zinc(II) phthalocyanines of ball and clamshell types

The phthalodinitrile derivative 1 was prepared by the reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile and 1,3-dimethoxy-4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene in dry dimethylsulfoxide as the solvent, in the presence of the base K₂CO₃, by nucleophilic substitution of an activated nitro group in an aromatic ring. The tetramerization of compound 1 gave a binuclear zinc(II) phthalocyanine and a metal-free phthalocyanine of the ball type, 2 and 3, respectively. Its condensation with 4,5-bis(hexylthio)phthalonitrile results in a binuclear phthalocyanine of the clamshell type, 4. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, UV–Vis, IR, MS and ¹H NMR spectra. The electronic spectra exhibit an intense π → π^∗ transition with characteristic Q and B bands of the phthalocyanine core. The electrochemical properties of 2–4 were examined by cyclic voltammetry in non-aqueous media. The voltammetric results showed that while there is no considerable interaction between the two phthalocyanine rings in 4, the splitting of a molecular orbital occurs as a result of the strong interaction between the phthalocyanine rings in 2 and 3.     

Microwave-assisted and conventional synthesis of new phthalocyanines containing 4-(p-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one moieties

New metal-free and metal (Zn, Ni, Cu and Co) phthalocyanines containing 4-(p-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one moiety have been prepared from 1-(3,4-dicyanophenyl)-4-(p-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one by both conventional and microwave-assisted methods. All of these compounds are soluble in CHCl₃, DMF and DMSO. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopies. The crystal structures of compounds I and II were also determined by the single crystal diffraction technique.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial activities of nickel(II) and copper(II) Schiff-base complexes

Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes of simple unsymmetrical Schiff-base ligands derived from salicylaldehyde/5-methylsalicylaldehyde and ethylenediamine or diaminomaleonitrile (DMN) were synthesized. The ligands and their complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, FT IR, and mass spectroscopy. The electronic spectra of the complexes show d–d transitions in the region at 450–600 nm. Electrochemical studies of the complexes reveal that all mononuclear complexes show a one-electron quasi-reversible reduction wave in the cathodic region. ESR spectra of the mononuclear copper(II) complexes show four lines, characteristic of square-planar geometry, with nuclear hyperfine spin 3/2. The copper(II) complexes show a normal room temperature magnetic moment value μ _eff = 1.70–1.74 BM which is close to the spin only value of 1.73 BM. Kinetic studies on the oxidation of pyrocatechol to o-quinone using the copper(II) complexes as catalysts were also carried out. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the investigated compounds was tested against human pathogenic bacterias such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The antifungal activity was tested against Candida albicans. Generally, the metal complexes have higher antimicrobial activity than the free ligands.     

Synthesis,electrochemical and in situ spectroelectrochemical studies of new transition metal complexes with two new Schiff-bases containing N2O2/N2O4 donor groups

New Schiff-base copper and cobalt complexes, [Cu(L¹)], [Cu(L²)] and [Co(L¹)], [Co(L²)] (where L¹ = N-N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylaldimine)-1,4-cyclohexane bis(methylamine) and L² = N-N′-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylaldimine)-1,8-diamino-3,6-dioxaoctane), were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV–Vis spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and molar conductance (Λ_M). Their electro-spectrochemical properties were investigated using cyclic voltammetric (CV) and thin-layer spectroelectrochemical techniques in a dichloromethane solution (CH₂Cl₂). The CV of [Cu(L²)] showed a lower oxidation potential than that of [Cu(L¹)] under the same experimental conditions. The oxidation wave (II) of [Cu(L²)] was accompanied by an EC process (II′), which was not observed for [Cu(L¹)]. Also, [Cu(L²)] exhibited a reduction process, but [Cu(L¹)] did not. These results indicate that the Cu(II) ion in [Cu(L²)] is coordinated by N₂O₄ donor sites while [Cu(L¹)] presents a square-planar structure with N₂O₂ donor sites. Both oxidation processes for [Co(L¹)] and [Co(L²)] are based on the cobalt center, and they are assigned to Co(II)/Co(III) couples. The spectroelectrochemical results indicate that the oxidized species of [Cu(L²)] is similar to that of [Cu(L¹)], the only difference being that the absorption bands of the oxidized species for [Cu(L²)] shift to lower energy compared with those of [Cu(L¹)] because of their different coordination environment. The geometry of [Cu(L²)] changed into square-planar after the complex was totally oxidized and the neutral complex was only recovered following the EC process, as observed from the CV of [Cu(L²)]. For the two cobalt complexes, the bands corresponding to the π → π^∗transitions disappeared and new bands with small red shifts and of lower intensity were observed during the oxidation process. These new bands are attributed to the LMCT transition as observed in the case of the oxidation processes of the cobalt complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new Schiff base derived from 2,3-diaminopyridine and 5-methoxysalicylaldehyde and its Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes. Electrochemical and electrocatalytical studies

We describe the synthesis and characterization of a new tetradentate Schiff base ligand obtained from 2,3-diaminopyridine and 5-methoxysalicylaldehyde. This ligand (H₂L) reacted with nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) acetates to give complexes. The ligand and its metal complexes were characterized using analytical, spectral data (UV–vis, IR, and mass spectroscopy), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The crystal structure of the copper complex was elucidated by X-ray diffraction studies. The electrochemical behavior of these compounds, using CV, revealed that metal centers were distinguished by their intrinsic redox systems, e.g. Ni(II)/Ni(I), Cu(II)/Cu(I), and Zn(II)/Zn(I). Moreover, the electrocatalytic reactions of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes catalyze the oxidation of methanol and benzylic alcohol.