Electrochemical synthesis of cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc and cadmium complexes with N[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidine]-N′-tosylbenzene-1,2-diamine. The crystal structures of {(1,10-phenanthroline)[N-(2-oxophenyl)methylidine]-N-tosylbenzene-1,2-diaminato} nickel(II) and {(1,10-phenanthroline)[N-(2-oxophenyl)methylidine]-N′-tosylbenzene-1,2- diaminato}copper(II)

The electrochemical oxidation of cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc or cadmium anodes in an acetonitrile solution containing N[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidine]-N′-tosylbenzene-1,2-diamine (H₂L) yielded compounds of general formula [ML]. When 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) is added to the cell, mixed ligand complexes are obtained. The crystal structures of {(1,10-phenanthroline)[N-(2-oxophenyl)methylidine]-N′-tosylbenzene-1,2- diaminato}nickel(II) (1) and {(1,10-phenanthroline)[N-(2-oxophenyl)methylidine]-N′-tosylbenzene-1,2- diaminato}copper(II) (2) were determined by X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 consists of a binuclear [Ni₂L₂¹(phen)₂] complex with phenolic oxygen atoms bridging both nickel atoms. Each nickel atom is in a distorted octahedral [NiN₄O₂] environment. Compound 2 is monomeric, with the copper atom in a [CuN₄O] distorted square pyramidal geometry. The electronic, IR and NMR spectra of the complexes are discussed and related to the structure.