Synthesis,spectral and thermal characterization of 6-hydroxymethyl pyridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester and its complexes

New pincer ligand, 6-hydroxymethylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester, HL, and its bipositive, tripositive and uranyl metal complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental and thermal analyses, IR, diffuse reflectance and ¹H NMR spectra, molar conductance and magnetic moment measurements. The downfield shift of the aliphatic OH signal (from 3.87 vs. 2.96 ppm in the ligand) upon complexation indicates the coordination by protonated aliphatic OH group. Zn(II) and UO2(II) complexes are found to be diamagnetic as expected. The low molar conductance values indicate that Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes are non electrolytes; Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and UO₂(II) complexes are 1:2  electrolytes while Fe(III) complex is a 1:3 electrolyte. The general compositions of the complexes are found to be M(HL)X₂]·nH₂O where M=Ni(II) (X=Cl, n=1) and Zn(II) (X=Br, n=0); and M(HL)₂]X_m·nH₂O where M=Fe(II) (X=Cl, m=2, n=0), Fe(III) (X=Cl, m=3, n=4), Co(II) (X=Cl, m=2, n=0), Cu(II) (X=Cl, m=2, n=0) and UO₂(II) (X=NO₃, m=2, n=0). The thermal behaviour of the complexes has been studied and different thermodynamic parameters are calculated using Coats-Redfern method.