Spectral, electrochemical and molecular orbital studies on solvatochromic mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of malonate and diamine derivatives

Solvatochromic mixed ligand complexes of copper(IT) with malonate and diamine derivatives, Cu-n (RMal)(diaM)(n)X-m (where n = 1 or 2, m = 1-4, RMal, malonic acid (H(2)Mal), diethylmalonate (HDEtMal) or diethylethoxyethylenemalonate (DEtEMal), and diam, ethylenediamine (en), 1,3-propylenediamine (1,3-pn), N,N,N'-trimethylethylenediamine (Me(3)en), N,N,N'-triethylethylenediamine (Et(3)en), N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (Me(4)en), N,N,N',N'-tetramethylpropylenediamine (Me(4)pn), or N-methyl-1,4-diazacycloheptane (medach); and X = ClO4- or Cl-), has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic, magnetic, molar conductance and electrochemical measurements. The mass spectra along with the analytical data of the complexes show peaks with m/e corresponding to a bridged binuclear structure for the chloride complexes, while perchlorate complexes showed either mononuclear structure for DEtMal and DEtEMal or bridged binuclear structure for Mal complexes. These results correspond to IR spectral data, which indicated that the modes of ester and carboxylato coordination sites are mono- and/or bidentate. The d-d absorption bands in weak donor solvents suggest square-planar and distorted square pyramidal-trigonal bipyramid geometries for the perchlorate and chloride complexes; respectively. On the other hand, an octahedral structure is identified for complexes in strong donor solvents. Perchlorate complexes show a drastic color change from violet to green as the donation ability of solvent increases, whereas chloride complexes are highly affected by the acceptor properties of the solvent. Cyclic voltammetric measurements on the complexes, proposed a quasi-reversible or irreversible and mainly diffusion controlled reduction process. Such behavior has been explained according to the ECE mechanism. A linear correlation has been found between the Cu(II) reduction potential and the spectral data. Molecular orbital calculations were performed for the ligands on the bases of PM3 level and the results corresponded to the experimental data. The data are discussed in terms of chromotropic concept and its applications as a Lewis acid-base color indicator. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.