New compounds with potential liquid crystal properties.: Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of N,N′-bis(4-decyloxysalicyliden-N-n-propyl)-piperazine.: Synthesis and characterization

The new Schiff base N,N '-bis(4-decyloxysalicyliden-N-n-propyl)-piperazine (ZOPP) was designed and synthesized. Structures were confirmed by elemental analysis and IR, H-1-NMR spectroscopy. ZOPP can act as ligand through the two set of donor atoms (one set: two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen) situated on each side of the piperazine bridge. The nature of the complexes depends strongly on the metal to ligand molar ratio. Thus, starting from metal to ligand of 1 to 1 ratio, where M=Cu(II), Ni(II), binuclear complexes with a polymeric structure have been obtained, whereas at metal to ligand molar ratio of 2 to 1, discrete binuclear complexes were formed.