Synthesis, crystal structure and spectral properties of a supramolecular trinuclear nickel(II) complex with 5-methoxy-4′-bromo-2,2′-[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol

•A new asymmetric Salamo-type bisoxime has been synthesized firstly.•A novel complex {[NiL(n-PrOH)(μ-OAc)]2Ni}·n-PrOH·H2O has been synthesized and characterized structurally.•The hydrogen-bonding interactions have stabilized the Ni(II) complex molecules to form an infinite 1D supramolecular chain-like structure.•New results are very important to modern coordination and supramolecular chemistry.

A novel trinuclear Ni(II) complex [{NiL(n-PrOH)(μ-OAc)}2Ni]·n-PrOH·H2O with an asymmetric Salamo-type ligand, 5-methoxy-4′-bromo-2,2′-[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol (H2L), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra and molar conductance measurement. The crystal structure of the Ni(II) complex has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Two acetate groups coordinating to three Ni(II) ions through NiOCONi bridges and four μ-phenoxo oxygen atoms from two [NiL(n-PrOH)] units also coordinating to Ni(II) ions. In the Ni(II) complex, two n-propanol molecules are coordinated to the two terminal Ni(II) ions having slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometries and form a trinuclear structure, There are also one non-coordinated n-propanol and one non-coordinated water molecule. In the crystal structure, the Ni(II) complex is linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds into an infinite 1D supramolecular chain-like structure.

Graphical abstractA supramolecular trinuclear Ni(II) complex {[NiL(n-PrOH)(μ-OAc)]2Ni}·n-PrOH·H2O with 5-methoxy-4′-bromo-2,2′-[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol (H2L), has been synthesized and characterized structurally. Two n-propanol molecules are coordinated to the two terminal Ni(II) ions which are linked by two acetate groups coordinated to the central Ni(II) ion forming NiOCONi bridges. Four μ-phenoxo oxygen atoms from two deprotonated L2− units also bridge the three Ni(II) ions, forming a trinuclear structure. There are also one non-coordinated n-propanol and one water molecule. In the crystal structure, the Ni(II) complex is linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds into an infinite 1D supramolecular chain.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide