Acetylsalicylhydroxamic acid and its cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes

Acetylsalicylhydroxamic acid (AcSHA) was prepared and characterized. Its pK_a value was determined as 7.78. Solid metal complexes of AcSHA were also prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, electronic and i.r. spectroscopies, and by magnetic moment measurements. The shift of both hydroxamic and acetyl carbonyl vibrations to lower frequencies clearly indicates that AcSHA is bonded through oxygen atoms to the metal ions as a tridentate ligand. On the basis of the experimental data, structures for the complexes are purposed.