Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure determination, computational study, and thermal decomposition into NiO nano-particles of a new NiIIL2 Schiff base complex (L = 2-{(E)-[2-chloroethyl)imino]methylphenolate)

• A new NiL2 Schiff base complex was prepared.
• It was characterized by X-ray crystallography, CHN analysis and FT-IR spectra.
• The conformational analysis and molecular structures of NiL2 were investigated.
• The results showed a small difference between the stability of them.
• Thermal decomposition of NiL2 resulted in formation of the NiO nano-particles.

The Nickel (II) Schiff base complex of NiL2, (L = 2-{(E)-[2-chloroethyl) imino]methylphenolate) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental (CHN) analysis, UV–vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of [NiL2] was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The Schiff base ligand HL acts as a chelating ligand and coordinates via one nitrogen atom and one oxygen atom to the metal center. The nickel (II) center is coordinated by two nitrogen and two oxygen atoms from two Schiff base ligands in an approximately square planar trans-[MN2O2] coordination geometry. Thermogravimetric analysis of NiL2 showed that it decomposed in three stages. In addition, complex NiL2 thermally decomposed in air at 660 °C and the XRD pattern of the obtained solid showed the formation of NiO nanoparticles with an average size of 43 nm. In addition, the conformational analysis and molecular structures of NiL2 were investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations at B3LYP/6-311G* level and the calculated geometrical parameters were compared with the experimental results.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide