Synthesis, spectroscopic, structural and electrochemical studies of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes derived from 2-hydroxy-4-methacryloyloxybenzaldehyde

The free Schiff bases H₂MABCE, H₂MABCP, and H₂MABCT and their complexes Ni(MABCE)], Ni(MABCP)], Ni(MABCT)], Cu(MABCE)], Cu(MABCP)], and Cu(MABCT)] have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic, cyclic voltammetric, and thermal studies. The geometry around nickel is square planar with N₂O₂ donor atoms. Cyclic voltammetric studies of the Ni(II) complexes show one-electron quasi-reversible waves corresponding to Ni(II)/Ni(I) and Ni(II)/Ni(III) processes. The Cu(II) complexes exhibit an irreversible well defined one electron transfer reduction peak in the range of ?0.34 to ?1.08 V. The electronic spectra of the complexes suggest a four-coordinate geometry. The crystal structure of the ligand H₂MABCT and the complex Ni(MABCP)] have also been reported. The mean Ni–N and Ni–O bond distances are Ni–N = 1.849(4) and Ni–O = 1.837(4) Å.