Spectral and magnetic studies of polynuclear copper(II) complexes of Schiff base derived from ethylenediamine and ethylacetoacetate

Summary The Schiff base (L), prepared by the condensation of two molecules of ethyl acetoacetate and one molecule of ethylenediamine reacts with copper(II) chloride to give poiynuclear complexes of the type Cu₃L Cl₆, Cu₄L Cl₈, Cu₅L Cl₁₀, Cu₆L Cl₁₂, Cu₇L Cl₁₄ and Cu₈L Cl₁₆. Elemental analyses, molar conductivities, magnetic susceptibilities, x-ray powder diffraction and i.r. spectral studies have been used to characterize the complexes. The i.r. spectra show that the Schiff base binds in a tetradentate manner and the spectral and magnetic studies suggest the presence of a chlorine bridge between the copper atoms. The magnetic susceptibility of the complexes follows the Curie-Weiss law.