Synthesis and characterization of Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) complexes with dithiophosphonate derivatives

Ammonium salts of p-methoxyphenyldithiophosphonic acid O-alkyl esters (H₃CO-C₆H₄-(RO)P(S)S⁻NH ₄ ⁺ ; R = C₂H₅,-CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂-, and cyclopentyl) and their complexes with Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Zn²⁺ were prepared. 2,4-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,2,4-dithiadiphosphetane-2,4-disulfide, the so-called Lawesson reagent, was treated with the corresponding alcohol to give the O-alkyl ester of the acid. Dry NH₃ was then purged through the solution of this ester to form the ammonium salt of the O-alkyl dithiophosphonic acids. Nickel complexes of these ligands were formed in acetic acid, while zinc and cadmium complexes were formed in water and an ethanol medium, respectively. The geometry of the coordinated atoms was square planar with Ni²⁺ and tetrahedral with Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺. Using an alkanediol, two dithiophosphonic acids were bridged, thus forming a ligand with four S atoms for coordination. The zinc and cadmium complexes of these tetradentate ligands were also synthesized. The text was submitted by the authors in English.