Complexes of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), cadmium(II), and mercury(II) with tetradentate Schiff base ligands

Summary A series of metal complexes with three new tetradentate Schiff bases derived from benzoin and benzil withc-toluidine and benzil with diaminoethane have been prepared and characterised by physical and chemical methods. The modes of bonding of the ligands with the metal ions have been proposed. Electronic spectra and room temperature magnetic moment values suggest octahedral geometry for the Co^II and Ni^II complexes, whereas the Hg^II and Cd^II complexes have tetrahedral geometry. The Cu^II complexes are square planar. Apart from the complexes of the Schiff bases derived from benzoin, all the other complexes have high molar conductance values suggesting them to be electrolytes. The complexes have been screened against some fungal pathogens.