Synthesis,crystal structure,and electrochemistry of [Co{(Me-sal)2dien}(N3)] and [Co{(Me-sal)2dpt}(N3)]

The structure, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of Co{(Me-sal)₂dien}(N₃)] and Co{(Me-sal)₂dpt}(N₃)], where (Me-sal)₂dien = 2,2′-1,1′-(3-azapentane-1,5-diyldinitrilo)diethylidyne] diphenolate and (Me-sal)₂dpt = 2,2′-1,1′-(4-azapentane-1,7-diyldinitrilo)diethylidyne] diphenolate, have been investigated. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of these complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1, with a = 7.8443(4) Å, b = 11.0660(5) Å, c = 11.6216(6) Å, α = 73.360(1)°, β = 76.965(1)°, γ = 84.436(1)° and Z = 2. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, with a = 12.1985(13) Å, b = 10.9332(12) Å, c = 15.2808(16) Å, β = 76.965(1)° and Z = 4. The coordination geometry around cobalt(III) in both complexes is a distorted octahedron. The electrochemical reduction of these complexes at a glassy carbon electrode in acetonitrile indicates that the first reduction corresponding to Co^III–Co^II is electrochemically irreversible, accompanied by dissociation of the axial Co–N(N₃) bond. The second reduction step of Co(II/I) leads to decomposition of the complex. These observations are rationalized based on the structure-function relations.