A novel Schiff base bearing dopamine groups with tripodal structure. Synthesis and its salen/salophen-bridged Fe/Cr(III) capped complexes

This work presents the synthesis of a novel Schiff base and its complexation properties with Fe(III) and Cr(III). A Schiff base bearing dopamine (TRDPA) was synthesized using dopamine hydrochloride and 1,3,5-tris (formylphenoxymethyl)benzene in methanol media. The prepared TRDPA was then reacted with four new trinuclear Fe(III) and Cr(III) complexes involving tetradenta Schiff bases N,N-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine-(salenH2) or bis(salicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine-(salophenH2). The structures of these compounds were characterized through 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR, thermal analysis (TG), elemental analysis, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The complexes were also characterized as low-spin distorted octahedral Fe(III) and Cr(III) bridged by a catechol group.

► A novel Schiff base bearing dopamine groups with tripodal structure have been synthesized.
► The Fe/Cr(III)-salen/salophen complexes of this Schiff base have been prepared.
► These complexes are the examples of trinuclear complexes.
► The magnetic data for the complexes show well agreement with the d3 and d5 metal ion in an octahedral structure.
► All of the complexes were characterized by means of magnetic susceptibility and other techniques.