Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray crystal structures of copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes with Schiff base

New copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂L¹L²] · ClO₄ (I) and [Ni(L³)₂] (II), where L¹ is the monoanionic form of 2-[1-(2-emthylaminoethylimino)ethyl]phenol, L² is the dianionic form of N,N′-ethylene-bis(2-hydroxyacetophenonylideneimine), L³ is the mono-anionic form of 2-(1-iminoethyl)phenol, were prepared and characterized using elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. In complex I, the Cu(1) atom is coordinated by the NNO tridentate ligand L¹ and the two phenolate O atoms of L², forming a square pyramidal geometry. The Cu(2) atom in complex I is coordinated by the NNOO tetradenate ligand L², forming a square planar geometry. The Ni atom in complex II is coordinated by two phenolate O and two imine N atoms from two ligands L³, forming a square planar geometry. In the crystal structure of I, the perchlorate anions are linked to the dinuclear copper(II) complex cations through intermolecular N-H...O hydrogen bonds. In the crystal structure of II, the mononuclear nickel complex molecules are linked through intermolecular N-H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a trimer.