Formation of polymeric chain assemblies of transition metal complexes with a multidentate Schiff-base

The new multidentate Schiff-base (E)-6,6′-((1E,1′E)-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene))bis(methan-1-yl-ylidene))bis(4-methyl-2-((E)(pyridine-2-ylmethylimino)methyl)phenol) H₂L and its polymeric binuclear metal complexes with Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) are reported. The reaction of 2,6-diformyl-4-methyl-phenol with ethylenediamine in mole ratios of 2:1 gave the precursor 3,3′-(1E,1′E)-(ethane-1,2-diylbis(azan-1-yl-1ylidene))bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde) W. Condensation of the precursor with 2-(amino-methyl)pyridine in mole ratios of 1:2 gave the new N₆O₂ multidentate Schiff-base ligand H₂L. Upon complex formation, the ligand behaves as a dibasic octadentate species with the involvement of the nitrogen atoms of the pyridine groups in coordination for all complexes. The mode of bonding and overall geometry of the complexes were determined through physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. These studies revealed octahedral geometries for Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes of general formulae Cr₂^III(L)Cl₂]Cl₂, Ni₂^II(L)(H₂O)₂]Cl₂ and M₂(L)Cl₂] and five co-ordinate Zn(II) complex of general formula Zn₂^II(L)]Cl₂.