New copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes based on azo Schiff base ligand: Synthesis,crystal structure,photoisomerization study and antibacterial activity

Newly synthesized mononuclear copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes containing an azo Schiff base ligand (L), prepared by condensation of 2-hydroxy-5-(o-tolyldiazenyl)benzaldehyde and propylamine, were obtained and then characterized using infrared and NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. Ligand L behaves as a bidentate chelate by coordinating through deprotonated phenolic oxygen and azomethine nitrogen. The copper and zinc complexes crystallize in triclinic and orthorhombic systems, respectively, with space groups P⁻1 and Pca2₁. In these complexes, the Cu(II) ion is in a square planar geometry while the Zn(II) ion is in a distorted tetrahedral environment. The photochemical behaviors of ligand L, [Cu(L)₂] and [Zn(L)₂] were investigated. The azo group in L underwent reversible trans–cis isomerization under UV and visible irradiation. This process was inhibited for the complexes. In addition, ligand L and its copper and zinc complexes were assessed for their in vitro antibacterial activities against four pathogenic strains.     

Mononitrosated and phenylamido substituted chelate linkage isomers of quadridentate Schiff base copper(II) complexes

The nitrosation of monophenylamido substituted quadridentate Schiff base complexes of copper(II) are observed to adopt N-bonded isonitroso coordination whereas the phenylisocyanation of the corresponding mononitrosated quadridentate complexes are found to prefer O-bonded isonitroso coordination.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and antibacterial activity of two new mononuclear nickel(II) complexes of a NNS Schiff base

Two new mononuclear nickel(II) complexes, [Ni(L)(N₃)] (1) and [Ni(L)₂(NCS)₂] (2), where HL = 2-{[phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]amino}benzenethiol, a tridentate Schiff base derived from 2-aminothiophenol and 2-benzoylpyridine, have been prepared and characterized. The syntheses of 1 and 2 have been achieved by the reaction of equimolar amounts of nickel perchlorate and HL in the presence of azide and thiocyanate, respectively. The complexes have been characterized by microanalytical, spectroscopic, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and other physicochemical studies. Structural studies reveal that 1 and 2 adopt two different geometries, distorted square planar in 1 and octahedral in 2. The two mononuclear complex units are held together by π…π or C–H…π weak intermolecular interactions to develop supramolecular networks in their solid states. The antibacterial activity of 1, 2 and their constituent Schiff base has been tested against some gram(+) and gram(?) bacteria.     

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of unsymmetrical tetradentate reduced Schiff base ligands

Two new reduced Schiff base ligands, [HL¹ = 4-{2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-amino]-ethylimino}-pentan-2-one and HL² = 4-[2-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylamino)-ethylimino]-pentan-2-one] have been prepared by reduction of the corresponding tetradentate unsymmetrical Schiff bases derived from 1:1: 1 condensation of 1,2-ethanediamine, acetylacetone and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde/2-acetyl pyridine. Four complexes, [Ni(L¹)]ClO₄ (1), [Cu(L¹)]ClO₄ (2), [Ni(L²)]ClO₄ (3), and [Cu(L²)]ClO₄ (4) with these two reduced Schiff base ligands have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The mono-negative ligands L¹ and L² are chelated in all four complexes through the four donor atoms to form square planar nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes. Structures of 3 and 4 reveal that enantiomeric pairs are crystallized together with opposite chirality in the nitrogen and carbon atoms. The two Cu^II complexes (2 and 4) exhibit both irreversible reductive (Cu^II/Cu^I; E_pc, −1.00 and −1.04 V) and oxidative (Cu^II/Cu^III; E_pa, +1.22 and +1.17 V, respectively) responses in cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemically generated Cu^I species for both the complexes are unstable and undergo disproportionation.     

The structures and cyclic voltammetry of three copper(II) complexes derived from bulky ortho-hydroxy Schiff bases

Three copper(II) complexes derived from bulky ortho-hydroxy Schiff base ligands, (1)-(3), were synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, UV-Vis, IR, μ_eff and mass spectrometry. The solid state structures of compounds (1)-(3) were determined. The solid state X-ray diffraction studies of these compounds show that the geometry is intermediate between square planar and tetrahedral. Moreover, EPR studies in DMF solution at 77 K suggest that the geometry of these complexes in solution is different from that observed in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry studies performed for (1)-(3), indicate a dependence of the cathodic potentials upon conformational and electronic effects.     

The crystal structures and electrochemical studies of two naphthalenic Schiff base copper(II) complexes

The Schiff base ligands, 2-hydroxy-N-cyclohexyl-l-naphthaldimine (I), and 3-hydroxy-N-cyclohexyl-2-naphthaldimine (II), and their corresponding Cu^II complexes (1–2) respectively were synthesized and characterized. The crystal and molecular structures of bis-{(cyclohexyl)[(2-oxo-1H-naphth-1-ylidene)-methyl]aminato}copper(II) (1) and bis-{(cyclohexyl)[(3-oxo-2H-naphth-2-ylidene)-methyl]aminato} copper(II) (2), were determined. The X-ray diffraction study shows that the geometry around the metal atom for (1), is stepped square planar with a step of 1.063 Å while for (2), the geometry around the metal atom for square planar with an angle between the coordination planes O(1)---Cu---N(1) and O(1a)---Cu---N(1a) of 39.9°. Electrochemical studies show a dependence of the Cu^II/Cu^I potentials on the ligand structure.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,antimicrobial, DNA-binding,and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of some bio-sensitive Schiff base copper(II) complexes

Schiff base mixed-ligand copper complexes [CuL¹(phen)Cl₂], [CuL¹(bipy)Cl₂], [Cu(L¹)₂Cl₂], [Cu(L²)₂Cl₂], [CuL²(bipy)Cl₂], and [CuL²(phen)Cl₂] (where L^1?=?4-[3,4-dimethoxy-benzylidene]-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-pyrazole-3-one; L^2?=?4-[3-hydroxy-4-nitro-benzylidene]-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-pyrazole-3-one; phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline; and bipy?=?2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized. Their DNA-binding properties have been studied by electronic absorption spectra, viscosity, and electrochemical measurements. The absorption spectral and viscosity results suggest that the copper(II) complexes bind to DNA via partial intercalation. The addition of DNA resulting in the decrease of the peak current of the copper(II) complexes indicates their interaction. Interaction between the complexes and DNA has also been investigated by submarine gel electrophoresis. The copper complexes cleave supercoiled pUC19 DNA to nicked and linear forms through hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid as the reducing agent. These copper complexes promote the photocleavage of pUC19 DNA under irradiation at 360?nm. Mechanistic study reveals that singlet oxygen is likely to be the reactive species responsible for the cleavage of plasmid DNA by the synthesized complexes. The in vitro antimicrobial study indicates that the metal chelates have higher activity against the bacterial and fungal strains than the free ligands.     

Sodium-mediated self-assembly of two nickel(II) Schiff base complexes: crystal structure and characterizations

Sodium-assisted self-assembly of two nickel(II) Schiff base complexes under similar reaction conditions yield hetero-metallic compounds [{Ni(salpn)}₂Na(ClO₄)] (1) and [{Ni(salpr)}₃Na][Ni(salpr)]₂ClO₄·2H₂O (2) (where salpn?=?N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane and salpr?=?N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)-1,2-diaminopropane). Both have been characterized by physico-chemical techniques and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Crystal structure reveals that in the tri-metallic system of 1 sodium is sandwiched between two [Ni(salpn)] units while the hexametallic system of 2 consists of tetrametallic cluster ion [{Ni(salpr)}₃Na]⁺ with encapsulated sodium by three [Ni(salpr)] units. In both complexes, sodium adopts distorted trigonal prismatic geometry leaving nickel(II) in a distorted square-planar environment. Structural characterization also reveals that 2?:?1 (for 1) and 3?:?1 (for 2) self-assemblies of metallo-ligand and sodium were achieved with slight variation in ligand backbone.     

Organometallic-mediated radical polymerization using well-defined Schiff base cobalt(II) complexes

Abstract

A series of new cobalt(II) complexes of Schiff base derived from salicylaldehyde and different cycloalkylamines (cycloalkyl?=?cyclopentyl-1a, cyclohexyl-1b, and cycloheptyl-1c) was synthesized: [Co(CyPen-Salicyl)₂] (2a), [Co(CyHex-Salicyl)₂] (2b), and [Co(CyHep-Salicyl)₂] (2c). The bis(phenoxyiminato)Co(II) complexes (2a-2c) have been fully characterized by FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, cyclic voltammetry, computational methods, and two of the complexes were further studied by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The X-ray structure analysis of 2a-b shows that the geometry around the metal atom is a distorted tetrahedron, confirming the spectroscopic data. Electrochemical studies suggest that the redox potential of 2a-2c are sensitive to the substituent group, decreasing in order cyclopentyl?>?cyclohexyl?>?cycloheptyl. Complexes 2a-2c were used as controlling agents for the polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) initiated by AIBN, according to a cobalt-mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) mechanism. The VAc polymerization mediated by 2a-2c suggests that the level of control can be slightly tuned by the substitution of the cycloalkyl group on the Schiff base ligand. Complex 2b showed the smaller discrepancy between observed and calculated molecular weight, and narrower molecular weight distribution.     

Photofunctional supramolecular solution systems of chiral Schiff base nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) complexes and photochromic azobenzenes

Preparations, crystal structures, electronic and CD spectra are reported for new chiral Schiff base complexes, bis(N-R-1-naphthylethyl-3,5-dichlorosalicydenaminato)nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II). Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes adopt a square planar trans-[MN₂O₂] coordination geometry with Δ(R,R) configuration. While zinc(II) complex adopts a compressed tetrahedral trans-[MN₂O₂] one with Δ(R,R) configuration and exhibits an emission band around 21 000 cm⁻¹ (λ_ex = 27 000 cm⁻¹). Absorption and CD spectra were recorded in N,N′-dimethylformamide, acetone, methanol, chloroform, and toluene solutions to discuss relationships between spectral shifts of d–d and π–π^∗ bands by structural changes of the complexes and physical properties of the solvents. Moreover, we have attempted to investigate conformational changes of the complexes induced by photoisomerization of azobenzene, 4-hydroxyazobenzene, or 4-aminoazobenzene, in various solutions under different conditions. Weak intermolecular interactions between complexes and azobenzenes are important for the phenomenon by conformational changes of bulky π-conjugated moieties of the ligands.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and electronic properties of a series of copper(II) complexes with 3,5-halogen-substituted Schiff base ligands and their solutions

We have systematically investigated the structural features, electronic properties, thermally-induced structural phase transitions and absorption spectra depending on the solvent for ten Cu(II) complexes with 3,5-halogen-substituted Schiff base ligands. Structural characterization of two new complexes, bis(N-R-1-phenylethyl- and N-R,S-2-butyl-5-bromosalicydenaminato-κ²N,O)copper(II), reveals that they afford a compressed tetrahedral trans-[CuN₂O₂] coordination geometry with trans-N–Cu–N = 159.4(2)° and trans-O–Cu–O = 151.7(3)° for the 1-phenylethyl complex and trans-N–Cu–N = 157.9(3)° and trans-O–Cu–O = 151.0(3)° for the 2-butyl one. All the complexes exhibit a structural phase transition by heating in the solid state regardless of their structures at room temperature. The absorption spectra of a series of ten complexes exhibit a slight shift of the d–d band at 16 000–20 000 cm⁻¹ and remarkable shift of the π–π* band at 24 000–28 000 cm⁻¹, which suggests that the dipole moment of the solvents presumably affects the conformation of the π-conjugated moieties of the ligands rather than the coordination environment. We have also attempted ‘photochromic solute-induced solvatochromism’ by a system of bis(N-R-1-phenylethyl-3,5-dichlorosalicydenaminato-κ²N,O)copper(II) and photochromic 4-hydroxyazobenzene in chloroform solution. We successfully observed a change of the d–d and π–π* bands of the complex in the absorption spectra caused by cis–trans photoisomerization of 4-hydroxyazobenzene.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes containing hydrazonic ligands and heterocyclic coligand

Two types of copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes derived from benzophenone anthranoylhydrazone (L1), 2-acetonaftanone anthranoylhydrazone (L2), 4-phenylacetonaftonone anthranoylhydrazone (L3), benzophenone salicyoylhydrazone (L4), 2-acetonaftanon salicyoylhydrazone (L5), 4-phenylacetonaftanon salicyoylhydrazone (L6) and bidentate heterocyclic base [1,10-phenanthroline (phen)] with general stoichiometry [ML2] and [ML(phen)]Cl have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, UV-vis electronic absorption spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The effect of varying pH and solvent on the absorption behavior of both ligands and complexes have been investigated. According to the IR spectra, the ligands act as monobasic bidentate and coordination takes place in the enol tautomeric form.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and antibacterial activities of manganese(III), nickel(II), and copper(II) complexes containing a tetradentate Schiff base

Three new mononuclear Schiff-base complexes, namely [Mn(L)Cl] (1), [Ni(L)] (2), and [Cu(L)] (3), where L?=?anion of [N,N′-bis(2-hydroxybenzophenylidene)]propane-1,2-diamine, have been synthesized by reacting equimolar amounts of the respective metal chloride and the tetradentate Schiff base, H₂L, in methanol. The complexes have been characterized by microanalytical, spectroscopic, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and other physicochemical studies. Structural studies reveal that 1 adopts a distorted square-pyramidal geometry whereas 2 and 3 are isotypic with distorted square-planar geometries. The antibacterial activities of 1–3 along with their Schiff base have been tested against some Gram(+) and Gram(?) bacteria.     

Synthesis and characterization of two new asymmetrical branched amines and related Mn(II) and Ni(II) Schiff base complexes containing pyridine moieties: Crystal structures of Mn(II) and Ni(II) complexes and their antibacterial properties

Two new branched pentadentate amines (N₅), 3,7-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-5,5-dimethyl-3,7-diazaheptane-1-amine (1) and 4,8-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-6,6-dimethyl-4,8-diaza octane-1-amine (2) have been prepared. These have been used to synthesis two new Schiff base complexes containing a pyridine and 2-pyridylmethyl pendant arm, by template [1+1] condensation of pyridine-2-carbaldehyde with the amines in the presence of Mn(II) in methanol. Elemental and spectral results are used to characterize the complexes and their structures are confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The structure of MnL¹(ClO₄)₂ indicates that in the solid state the Mn(II) ion adopts a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. The crystal structure of [Ni(1)(MeCN)](ClO₄)₂ is also reported and exhibits a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. Also the synthesized complexes were screened for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Lio), Serratia marcescens (PTCC 1330), Staphylococcous aureus (ATCC 6633), and Proteus vulgaris (Lio) and results showed that the all complexes have antibacterial effects and [NiL¹](ClO₄)₂, [MnL²](ClO₄) and [MnL¹](ClO₄)₂ have more effective ones against E. coli.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and antibacterial activity of a group of mononuclear manganese(II) Schiff base complexes

Five mononuclear complexes of manganese(II) of a group of the general formula, [MnL(NCS)₂] where the Schiff base L = N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine (L¹), (1); N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine (L²), (2); N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]propane-1,2-diamine (L³), (3); N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]propane-1,2-diamine (L⁴), (4) and N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene]propane-1,2-diamine (L⁵), (5) have been prepared. The syntheses have been achieved by reacting manganese chloride with the corresponding tetradentate Schiff bases in presence of thiocyanate in the molar ratio of 1:1:2. The complexes have been characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and other physicochemical studies, including crystal structure determination of 1, 2 and 4. Structural studies reveal that the complexes 1, 2 and 4 adopt highly distorted octahedral geometry. The antibacterial activity of all the complexes and their respective Schiff bases has been tested against Gram(+) and Gram(−) bacteria.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of novel heteronuclear Ln (III) -Cu(II) complexes with noncyclic polyether-amino acid Schiff base

A series of novel heteronuclear Ln(III)-CU(II) complexes with noncyclic polyether-amino acid Schiff base were synthesized. The general formula is (LnCu₂(H₂TALY) (NO₃)₅] (NO₃)₂·nH₂O (Ln= La, Nd, Sm, Gd,n = 4; Ln = Yb, Y,n = 3), where H₂TALY = tetraglycol aldehyde bis-lysine Schiff base. It is the first time to report the synthetic method for this new Cu(II) complexes and Ln(III)-Cu(II) heteronuclear complexes. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra. TG-DTA, magnetic susceptibility, and especially by a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer for 2D-COSY NMR. Coordination mechanism and structures of complexes have been suggested as well. Of particular interest is the potential that the novel complexes obtained may be used as a catalyst. which prompted us to investigate them. It shows 100% conversion with the viscosity-average molecular weight 120 000 for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) without addition of any cocatalyst. Furthermore, the complexes with such aliphatic Schiff bases can be used as a good catalyst, which has been confirmed and discussed here. They may be a new kind of catalyst system with the above speciality. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 29671026) and Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (Grant No. 296062) and the Laboratory of MRAMP (Grant No. 971502).     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrochemical study of two new macroacyclic Schiff bases and their copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes

Two new potentially octadentate N₂O₆ Schiff-base ligands 2-((E)-(2-(2-(2-((E)-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino)phenoxy)phenoxy)phenylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol H₂L¹ and 2-((E)-(2-(2-(2-((E)-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino)phenoxy)-4-tert-butylphenoxy)phenylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol H₂L² were prepared from the reaction of O-Vaniline with 1,2-bis(2′-aminophenoxy)benzene or 1,2-bis(2′-aminophenoxy)-4-t-butylbenzene, respectively. Reactions of H₂L¹ and H₂L² with copper(II) and zinc(II) salts in methanol in the presence of N(Et)₃ gave neutral [CuL¹]?·?0.5CH₂Cl₂, [CuL²], [ZnL¹]?·?0.5CH₂Cl₂, and [ZnL²] complexes. The complexes were characterized by IR spectra, elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, ESI–MS spectra, molar conductance (Λ_m), UV-Vis spectra and, in the case of [ZnL¹]?·?0.5CH₂Cl₂ and [ZnL²], with ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. The crystal structure of [ZnL¹]?·?0.5CH₂Cl₂ has also been determined showing the metal ion in a highly distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The electrochemical behavior of H₂L² and its Cu(II) complex, [CuL²], was studied and the formation constant of [CuL²] was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. The logarithm value of formation constant of [CuL²] is 21.9.     

Deciphering the bonding mode of the trihalide ligands in a series of halogen carrier homo- and hetero-trihalide Cu(II) Schiff base complexes

Electronic structure calculation techniques (DFT) have been used to decipher the bonding of the trihalide ligands in a series of homo- and hetero-trihalide Cu(II) Schiff base complexes formulated as [Cu(RdienR)(X)(XY₂)] (RdienR = Schiff base; R = furan, thiophene or pyrrol; X = Cl or Br; Y = Cl, Br or I). The association of the incoming Y₂ halogen molecule with one of the halide X ligands of the precursor [Cu(RdienR)(X)₂] complexes alters their distorted trigonal bipyramidal stereochemistry which is transformed to a distorted square pyramidal geometry. The bonding mechanism between the halogen Y₂ molecule and the halide X ligand was thoroughly explored by means of various electronic parameters and charge decomposition analysis techniques. The bond dissociation energy of the Cu–XY₂ bond, BDECu–XY₂${\text{BDE}}_{\text{Cu}''–''{\text{XY}}_2}$, was estimated in the range of 61.9–68.4 kcal/mol, while the bond dissociation energy of the X–Y₂ bond, BDECu–XY₂${\text{BDE}}_{\text{Cu}''–''{\text{XY}}_2}$, was found in the range of 10.6–12.5 kcal/mol. It was found that the X?Y₂ interactions correspond to weak hyperconjugative donor–acceptor interactions between a non-bonding n(X) molecular orbital (donor orbital) localized on the coordinated halide X ligand and an antibonding σ^∗(Y–Y) molecular orbital (acceptor orbital) localized on the Y₂ halogen molecule. The n(X) → σ^∗(Y–Y) donor–acceptor interactions are associated with a second-order perturbation stabilization energy, ΔE(2) of 34.5–52.5 kcal/mol. The loose association of the halogen molecules with the coordinated halide ligand renders the [Cu(RdienR)(X)(XY₂)] complexes good halogen carrier molecules.     

Mixed-ligand ternary complexes of potentially pentadentate but functionally tridentate Schiff base chelates

The potentially pentadentate chelate 2,6-diacetylpyridine-bis(N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate) (Nmedapsme) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. Its reactions with nickel(II) salts did not lead to pentadentate coordinated ligand complexes but ternary complexes of general formula, [Ni(Nmedapsme)(nmesme)L]X·H₂O (L = Br⁻, I⁻; X = I⁻, BF₄⁻) where Nmedapsme binds as a tridentate and nmesme = N-methyl-S-methyldithiocarbazate. The related ternary nickel(II) complexes of formula, Ni(Nmedapsme)(nmetsc)Br₂ has also been prepared and characterized. X-ray crystal structures of [Ni(Nmedapsme)(nmesme)I]I·H₂O and [Ni(Nmedapsme)(nmesme)Br]BF₄·H₂O revealed that, in these complexes, the Nmedapsme ligand acts as a tridentate NNN donor while the distal S-donors are not coordinated. The bidentate (NS) ligand, nmesme coordinates to the nickel(II) ion via the amino nitrogen and the thione sulfur atoms, the sixth coordination site is occupied by an anion. In both complexes, the nickel(II) ion adopts a distorted octahedral configuration. The complex [Cu(nmesme)₂(ONO₂)]NO₃ was obtained from an unsuccessful attempt to complex copper(II) with Nmedapsme. Hydrolysis of the parent Schiff base Nmedapsme occurred during complexation. An X-ray crystallographic structure analysis shows that the complex, [Cu(nmesme)₂(ONO₂)]NO₃ has an approximately square-pyramidal geometry with the two nmesme ligands coordinated to the copper(II) ion as NS bidentate chelating agents via the amino nitrogen and thione sulfur atoms and the fifth coordination position of copper(II) is occupied by a monodentate nitrate ligand.     

Polarized spectroscopy of hybrid materials of chiral Schiff base cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) complexes and photochromic azobenzenes in PMMA films

A chiral Schiff base complex, bis(N-R-1-phenylethyl-3,5-dichlorosalicydenaminato) cobalt(II) was prepared newly and characterized to be a distorted tetrahedral trans-[CoN₂O₂] coordination geometry. Organic/inorganic hybrid materials containing the related cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) complexes and photochromic azobenzene in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cast films were assembled for comparison of their flexibility and molecular arrangement in the photofunctional medium. Characterization of each component and hybrid materials was carried out by means of absorption and CD spectra and thermal analysis (TG–DTA and DSC). Moreover, we have attempted to observe changes of conformation and/or molecular arrangement of the complexes or azobenzene induced by cis–trans photoisomerization of azobenzene after alternate irradiation of polarized UV and visible light. Gradual increase of optical anisotropy was observed for all the hybrid materials regardless of flexibility of Schiff base complexes, and the degree of dichroism and weak intermolecular interactions were discussed based on polarized absorption electronic spectra.