Studies on coordination polymers : Part II. Coordination polymers of 1,6-dihydroxyphenazine

Coordination polymers of 1, 6-dihydroxyphenazine (I) with Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni (II), Co(II) and Hg(II) were prepared and studied. All the polymers formed were dark blue to black powders, very insoluble in the common solvents, apparently of low molecular weight, and decomposed at temperatures ranging from 200 to 280°. The zinc polymer was the most stable, mercury the least. Infrared studies confirmed the proposed chelation reaction between the metal ion and (I). The polymers of Co and Hg were amorphous, whereas those of Cu, Zn, and Ni were crystalline. When used as a spot test reagent, (I) gave instant color reactions with 15 common ions but neither the sensitivity nor selectivity of the reagent is impressive.