Four-coordinate nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of 7-amino-4-methyl-5-aza-3-heptene-2-one

Summary The condensation of acetylacetone with ethylenediamine yields 7-amino-4-methyl-5-aza-3-heptene-2-one (AEH). This terdentate (N₂O) Schiff base forms various types of ternary complexes, depending on the nature of the second ligand. Examples of five- and six-coordination have been previously reported. The present paper points to the possibility of preparing a less common type of complex,i.e. M^II(AE)Py]⁺ (M=Ni or Cu) in which the use of a monodentate ligand (pyridine) favours a square planar geometry.