Crystal Structure, Spectroscopic and Redox Properties of Copper(II) Bis{2-[(2,6-dimethylphenyl)iminomethyl-3-methoxyphenolate]}

Abstract

The coordination chemistry of N-(2,6-di-methylphenyl)-2-hydroxy-3- methoxybenzaldimine (1) with Cu(II) has been investigated by X-ray crystallography, electronic and EPR spectroscopies, as well as by electro- and magnetochemistry. The title complex 2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2<inf>1</inf>2<inf>1</inf>2<inf>1</inf> (a = 8.1538, b = 17.7466, c =19.8507 Å). The mononuclear square-planar molecules 2 featuring frans-N<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> coordination are connected via weak intermolecular C-H⋯π interactions into infinite chains parallel to the a axis. Although the intermolecular Cu⋯Cu separations within individual chains and between chains are very long (8.154 and 9.726 Å), the exchange interaction parameter G = 2.03 < 4, estimated from solid state EPR spectra, suggests the existence of long-distance superexchange pathways between adjacent Cu(II) centers. The electronic and electrochemical features of the compound are also discussed. © 2007 Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung.