Spectral and electrochemical characterization of bimetallic complexes of a novel 32-membered unsymmetrical [N12] macrocycle

Reactions of a 32-membered [N₁₂] macrocyclic ligand, L.2HClO₄ with metal salts MCl₃ (M=Cr or Fe) and MCl₂ (M=Co, Ni or Cu) have produced complexes of stoichiometries M₂LCl₄(ClO₄)₂ and M₂LCl₂(ClO₄)₂, respectively. However, reactions with [M(Ph₃P)₂Cl₂] (M=Co or Ni) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(Ph₃P)I] follow a ligand substitution path resulting in products with stoichiometries M₂LCl₂(ClO₄)₂ and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ni₂L(ClO₄)₂], respectively. The mode of bonding and geometry of the complexes have been derived on the basis of i.r., ligand field spectral and magnetic susceptibility measurements. EPR of Cu^II complex shows anisotropy with , G < 4.0 and orbital reduction factor . Thermodynamic first ionic association constants (K₁) and the corresponding free energy change (ΔG) of complexes in DMSO have been determined and discussed. Cyclic voltammetric studies indicate the presence of a quasi-reversible redox couples Cr^III/II, Co^II/I, Ni^II/I, Ni^II/III and Cu^II/I in solutions suggesting flexible nature of the macrocyclic cavity.