Mono, bi- and trinuclear metal complexes derived from new benzene-1,4-bis(3-pyridin-2-ylurea) ligand. Spectral, magnetic, thermal and 3D molecular modeling studies

• New bis (pyridylurea) ligand was prepared.
• The structure of the ligand was studied by different spectroscopic techniques.
• The solid complexes of the prepared ligand with some metal ions were isolated.
• The spectral, magnetic and thermal properties of these complexes were studied.
• 3D molecular modeling of the ligand and a representative complex were studied.

New bis (pyridylurea) ligand, H2L, was synthesized by the reaction of ethylpyridine-2-carbamate (EPC) and p-phenylenediamine. The ligand was characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, electronic and mass spectra. Reaction of the prepared ligand with Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, VO2+ and UO22+ ions afforded mono, bi- and trinuclear metal complexes. Also, new mixed ligand complexes of the ligand H2L and 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) with Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions were synthesized. The ligand behaves as bi- and tetradentate toward the transition metal ions, coordination via the pyridine N, the carbonyl O and/or the amidic N atoms in a non, mono- and bis-deprotonated form. The complexes were characterized by elemental and thermal analyses, IR, electronic and mass spectra as well as conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The results showed that the metal complexes exhibited different geometrical arrangements such as square planar, tetrahedral, octahedral and square pyramidal arrangements. The Coats–Redfern equation was used to calculate the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the different thermal decomposition steps of some complexes. 3D molecular modeling of the ligand, H2L and a representative complex were studied.

The optimized structure of the ligand, H2L.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide