Synthesis and characterization of metal(II) complexes of poly(3-nitrobenzylidene-1-naphthylamine-co-succinic anhydride)

The alternating copolymer poly(3-nitrobenzylidene-1-naphthylamine-co-succinic anhydride) was synthesized from the Schiff base, 3-nitrobenzylidene-1-naphthylamine and succinic anhydride using hydroquinone monomethyl ether under nitrogen atmosphere. The molecular weight of the copolymer was determined by gel permeation chromatography. The metal-polymer complexes were synthesized by the reaction of THF solution of the alternating copolymer with aqueous solution of Cu(II) and Ni(II) acetates. The elemental analysis of the metal-polymer complexes suggests that the metal to ligand ratio is 1:2. The IR spectral data indicate that the metal ions are coordinated through the oxygen of the keto and ester groups. The UV-Visible, magnetic moments and ESR studies indicate square planar geometry for Cu(II) and distorted octahedral geometry for Ni(II) complexes. XRD studies revealed that the copolymer and its Cu(II) complex are crystalline, while the Ni(II) complex is amorphous. The intrinsic viscosity of the copolymer, thermal properties of metal-polymer complexes and their catalytic activity are discussed.