Unsymmetrical bis-Schiff bases derived from ethylenediamine,dehydroacetic acid and another aldehyde/ketone and the preparation and characterisation of their copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes

Summary Partial displacement of the symmetrical bis-Schiff bases (1)–(4) of ethylenediamine and salicyladehyde, o-hydroxyacetophenone, acetylacetone or benzoylacetone by dehydroacetic acid have led to the formation and isolation of the unsymmetrical bis-Schiff base ligands (6)–(9). Attempted partial displacements of the symmetrical bis-Schiff base (5) of dehydroacetic acid or (1)–(4) by each of the other four carbonyl compounds have been unsuccessful. The Ni^(II) and Cu^(II) complexes of (6)–(9) have been prepared and characterized.