Synthesis,structure and properties of some copper(II) complexes containing an ONO donor Schiff base and substituted imidazole ligands

Five new mixed ligand coper(II) complexes, viz. [Cu(SAA)(H₂O)] (1), [Cu(SAA)(MeImH)] (2), [Cu(SAA)(EtImH)] (3), [Cu(SAA)(BenzImH)] (4) and [Cu(SAA)(MebenzImH)] (5), where SAA = salicylideneanthranilic acid, MeImH = 2-methylimidazole, EtImH = 2-ethylimidazole, BenzImH = benzimidazole, MebenzImH = 2-methylbenzimidazole, have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, FAB mass spectrometry, magnetic susceptibility, X-band EPR, electronic spectroscopy, IR and cyclic voltammetry. The frozen solution EPR spectra of the complexes have shown axial features. Single crystal X-ray analysis of 2 and 3 has revealed the presence of a distorted square planar geometry (N₂O₂) in the complexes. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the present complexes has also been measured and discussed.