The structures and cyclic voltammetry of three copper(II) complexes derived from bulky ortho-hydroxy Schiff bases

Three copper(II) complexes derived from bulky ortho-hydroxy Schiff base ligands, (1)-(3), were synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, UV-Vis, IR, μ_eff and mass spectrometry. The solid state structures of compounds (1)-(3) were determined. The solid state X-ray diffraction studies of these compounds show that the geometry is intermediate between square planar and tetrahedral. Moreover, EPR studies in DMF solution at 77 K suggest that the geometry of these complexes in solution is different from that observed in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry studies performed for (1)-(3), indicate a dependence of the cathodic potentials upon conformational and electronic effects.