Nickel(II) complexes with Schiff bases derived from salicylaldehyde or pentanedione and 3-aminopropanethiol

Template reactions of salicylaldehyde or pentanedione with 3-aminopropanethiol (Hapt) in the presence of Ni(II) ions are described. When salicylaldehyde was used, a dinuclear Ni(II) complex [Ni(bit′)]₂ (2) (H₂bit′?=?2-(3′-mercaptopropyliminomethyl)phenol) was obtained instead of the reported trinuclear one [Ni(bit)]₃ (1) (H₂bit?=?2-(2′-mercaptoethyliminomethyl)phenol) containing 2-aminoethanethiol (Haet). Starting from pentanedione, the expected dinuclear complex [Ni(pit′)]₂ (H₂pit′?=?2-(3′-mercaptopropylimino)pentanol) was not obtained, nor was [Ni(pit)]₂ (3) (H₂pit?=?2-(2′-mercaptoethylimino)pentanol). The complex was found to be a trinuclear Ni(II) complex [Ni{Ni(apt)₂}₂]²⁺ (4), as confirmed by elemental analysis, electronic and NMR spectra. Complexes 1 and 3 were also synthesized and their ¹³C, ¹H–¹H and ¹³C–¹H?NMR spectra are discussed in detail. The X-ray crystal structure of 2 shows that two Ni(II) ions are connected by the thiolate donor atom from each ligand, resulting in a four-membered ring. Differences in reactivity and properties is due to the presence of an additional methylene group in the aminoalkane arm of the ligand.