Synthesis and crystal structures of two new Schiff base cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes

The Schiff base ligand (HL) obtained from phenylmethanamine and 5-methoxysalicylaldehyde are used as ligands for Co(II) and Ni(II) resulting in complexes [Co(L)₂] (I) and [Ni(L)₂] (II), and their solid state structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. In both complexes, weak interactions play an important role in the molecular self-assembly. Complex I was stacked up to the 2D layers by C-H…O hydrogen bonds and C-H…π interactions. In contrast, complex II was extended into 2D sheet by C-H…O hydrogen bonds, the C-H…π interactions, and edge-to-face interactions.