A New Method of Synthesis of Azo Schiff Base Ligands with Azo and Azomethine Donors: Synthesis of N-4-Methoxy- benzylidene-2-(3-hydroxyphenylazo)-5-hydroxy- aniline and Its Nickel(II) Complex

A new method for the synthesis of azo Schiff an base ligand in which the azo and azomethine groups are coordination sites was developed through a Schiff base precursor. The precursor, N-4-methoxybenzylidene-3-hydroxy-phenylamine (SB) derived from 3-aminophenol was regioselectively coupled with a diazonium ion para to the hydroxyl group of the amine component of the Schiff base. The para selectivity was controlled by the directing effect of the hydroxyl group. The ligand and its nickel(II) complex were characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The analytical and spectral data supported the mononuclear formulation of the complex with metal to ligand ratio (M∶L＝1∶2) and suggested a square planar geometry for the complex.