1,2-Bis-[(5-methyl/chloro/nitro)-2-1H-benzimidazolyl]-1,2-ethanediols and their PdCl2 complexes

1,2-Bis-(5-methyl)-2-1H-benzimidazolyl]- (L ¹), 1,2-bis-(5-chloro)-2-1H-benzimidazolyl]- (L ²), 1,2-bis-(5-nitro)-2-1H-benzimidazolyl]-1,2-ethanediol (L ³) and their PdCl₂ complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, i.r. and ¹H-n.m.r. spectra. The benzene ring substituents lead to a decrease in melting point. The methyl group reduces the solubility and the acidity of L ¹ and Pd(L ¹)Cl₂, whereas the Cl and NO₂ groups increase the solubility and the acidity of L ², L ³, Pd(L ²)Cl₂ and Pd(L ³)Cl₂. In Pd(L ¹)Cl₂ and Pd(L ²)Cl₂ complexes, the ligands act as a bidentate through two nitrogen atoms. In Pd(L ³)Cl₂, ligand coordination occurs through one OH group oxygen atom and one of the benzimidazole nitrogen atoms.