Crystal and molecular structure of a new trinuclear copper(II) complex:: Cu3L2(NCS)2 • 2.5(C4H8O2) L = bis-N,N′(salicylidene)1,3-propanediamine dianion

A trinuclear Schiff base complex was synthesized from N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine and Cu(II) ions in the presence of thiocyanate ions in dioxane media. The complex has a nonlinear nucleus structure with the central Cu(II) ion and terminal Cu(II) ions bonded through phenolic p-bridges. One of the terminal Cu(II) ions is coordinated by a dioxane molecule, resulting in differentiation between the Cu...Cu distances. The central Cu(II) ion has an octahedral coordination sphere, whereas one of the terminal Cu(II) ions posseses a square pyramidal and the other a square planar coordination sphere. The thermal analysis results are in accord with the complex stochiometry. The thiocyanate ions surrounding the central Cu(II) ion are transformed into CuS between 230-280 degrees C.