Copper(II) and ruthenium(II)/(III) Schiff base complexes

Metal complexes of general formula [Cu(L)](ClO4)2, [Ru(L)(PPh3)2]Cl2 and [Ru(L)(PPh3)Cl]Cl2[L = 1,4-di- (o-benzylidiminophenoxy/benzylidiminophenylthio)butane] containing N2O2 or N2S2 donor atoms have been prepared and characterised by spectral, magnetic and cyclic voltammetric studies. The rhombic nature of the e.s.r. spectra of the RuIII complexes indicates an asymmetry in the electronic environment around the Ru atom. e.s.r. spectra of the CuII complexes show a typical four-line spectrum with approximate tetrahedral distortion. The observed low A values in the CuII complexes, of the order of 132–160 × 10–4cm–1, indicates a tetrahedrally distorted square planar structure.The influence of modified ligands is reflected in the metal-centered redox potentials. CuII complexes having the N2S2 chromophore, in MeCN on a glassy carbon electrode, undergo quasi-reversible reduction in the 540–680 mV range. A depression in E1/2 values for the open chain N2S2 chromophoric macrocyclic CuII complexes, compared to electronically similar cyclic tetradentate CuII analogues, is due to the increased stabilization of the CuI state by added flexibility provided through the open chain donor sites.