The dangers of using KBr,KI and CaI2 as mulling agents during the preparation of infrared discs of complexes

Tribochemical reactions of KBr, KI and CaI₂ with Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]1/2H₂O (L = formylhydrazine) give novel Cu^I and Cu^II complexes, which have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (i.r., u.v.–vis., ¹H-n.m.r.) and magnetic measurements. The i.r. spectra indicate that (L) behaves in a monodentate manner, coordinating via the azomethine nitrogen (C-N) group in the Cu^II complexes, but behaving as a bidentate ligand, via the carbonyl oxygen and NH₂ groups in the Cu^I complexes. KI and CaI₂ react with Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]-1/2H₂O in the solid state, accompanied by a colour change, substitution of the chloride by iodide ions, and reduction of Cu^II to Cu^I to give complexes with formulae Cu(L)I(EtOH)_1/2] and Cu_1.7(L)I_1.7(EtOH)_1/2]. On the other hand, the tribochemical reaction of KBr with Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]1/2H₂O is accompanied by a colour change; substitution of the chloride by bromide ions, but without reduction of Cu^II and yields a complex of formula Cu(L)₂Br₂(EtOH)(H₂O)]1/2EtOH. The spectral and magnetic results suggest a distorted octahedral geometry for the Cu^II complexes while a tetrahedral geometry around the Cu^I ion. The non-stoichiometric structure of Cu_1.7(L)I_1.7(EtOH)_1/2] is discussed.