Bimetallic complexes of a potentially pentadentate,acyclic, symmetrical compartmental Schiff base ligand that provides suitable topology for an exogenous bridge

The binucleating ligand LH₃, 2,6-diformyl-p-cresol-bis(phenylthioacetyldrazone), a Schiff base condensation product of 2,6-diformyl-p-cresol and phenylthioacetyldrazide forms complexes of the M₂ClL] type with Co^II, Ni^II and Cu^II ions, which were characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, electronic spectra, molar conductance, i.r., n.m.r., e.p.r., t.g. and FAB mass spectral measurements. Sub-normal magnetic moments indicate the operation of antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal centres. The ligand and its copper complex show a pronounced fungistatic activity.