Synthesis and Characterisation of a New Schiff‐Base‐like Ligand and its Iron(II) Complexes

The reaction of iron(II) acetate with the tetradentate Schiff base like ligand H₂L (E,E)‐{diethyl 2,2’‐4,5‐dihydroxy‐1,2‐phenylenebis(iminomethylidyne)]bis3‐oxobutanato}]) leads to the formation of the octahedral N₂O₄ coordinated complex FeL(MeOH)₂] · MeOH ( 1 ). Conversion of 1 with N‐methylimidazole (N‐meim) leads to the N₄O₂ coordinated complex FeL(N‐meim)₂] · MeOH ( 2 ). Both complexes are pure HS compounds that were characterised using magnetic measurements and X‐ray crystallography. A special attention was given to the role of the two hydroxyl groups at the phenyl ring on the formation of a hydrogen bond network and the influence of this network on the magnetic properties.