E.p.r. studies on dichloromono(1-phenylamidino-o-alkylurea)copper(II) complexes. Evidence for field induced partial ordering in the solid state and some unusual features in solution

E.p.r. and optical absorption studies have been conducted on dichloromono(1-phenylamidino-o-alkylurea)copper(II) complexes (Alkyl = Me, Et, Pr, Bu or Pe). The e.p.r. spectra of solids, recorded at 300 K, confirmed the square-planar geometry with the unpaired electron in the dx ²–y ² orbital of copper. Magnetic field-induced partial molecular alignment has been observed in some of the polycrystalline samples when cooled in a magnetic field of 1 T at 77 K. E.p.r. spectra at 77 K in pyridine and DMF has shown axial ligation of solvent molecules (pyridine and DMF), whereas in MeOH and DMSO at least three structurally different Cu^II species have been identified. These features are consistent with differences in electronic absorption spectra in the powder and in solution.