Synthesis,Spectroscopic and Magnetic Studies on Metal Complexes of 5-Methyl-3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)Pyrazole

A tridentate ONN donor ligand, 5-methyl-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyrazole; H₂L, was synthesized by reaction of 2-(3-ketobutanoyl)phenol with hydrazine hydrate. The ligand was characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectra. ¹H NMR spectra indicated the presence of the phenolic OH group and the imine NH group of the heterocyclic moiety. Different types of mononuclear metal complexes of the following formulae [(HL)₂M][sdot]xH₂O (M=VO, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd), [(HL)₂M(H₂O)₂] (M=Mn and UO₂) and [(HL)LFe(H₂O)₂] were obtained. The Fe(III) complex, [(HL)LFe(H₂O)₂] undergoes solvatochromism. Elemental analyses, IR, electronic and ESR spectra as well as thermal, conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements were used to elucidate the structures of the newly prepared metal complexes. A square-pyramidal geometry is suggested for the VO(IV) complex, square-planar for the Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes, octahedral for the Fe(III) and Mn(II) complexes and tetrahedral for the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes, while the UO₂(VI) complex is eight-coordinate. Transmetallation of the UO₂(VI) ion in its mononuclear complex by Fe(III), Ni(II) or Cu(II) ions occurred and mononuclear Fe(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were obtained. IR spectra of the products did not have the characteristic UO₂ absorption band and the electronic spectra showed absorption bands similar to those obtained for the corresponding mononuclear complexes. Also, transmetallation of the Ni(II) ion in its mononuclear complex by Fe(III) has occurred. The antifungal activity of the ligand and the mononuclear complexes were investigated.