Synthesis, characterization, and single crystal X-ray structures of [CoIII((BA)2en)(thiobenzamide)2]PF6 and [CoIII(acacen)(thiobenzamide)2]ClO4 and their solvatochromic properties

New cobalt(III) complexes of two tetradentate Schiff base ligands, acacen = bis(acetylacetone)ethylenediimine dianion and (BA)₂en = bis(benzoylacetone)-ethylenediimine dianion, with two axial thiobenzamide (tb) ligands have been synthesized by solid state methods and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Both complexes show solvatochromism in a variety of solvents. The crystal and molecular structures of (1) and (2) were determined by X-ray crystallography. The structure (1) contains two independent Co^III((BA)₂en)(tb)₂]⁺ complexes, two independent PF₆ anions, and one well ordered ethyl acetate solvent molecule per asymmetric unit. In contrast, the structure (2) contains two independent Co^III(acacen)(tb)₂]⁺ complexes of C₂ symmetry, a disordered ClO₄ group and disordered toluene molecules. The octahedral coordination of Co(III) is distorted and the Schiff base ligands (ONNO donors) coordinate the cobalt ion in four equatorial positions, and the two axial positions are occupied by S-bonded thiobenzamide molecules. Intramolecular N–H···O hydrogen bonds donated by the thiobenzamide molecules add to the stability of the complexes in the solid state. The IR, UV–Vis, and ¹H-NMR spectra of the two complexes and their solvatochromic properties are also discussed. The compounds exhibit LLCT mediated by the metal center. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.