Spectral characterization of iron(III) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones

Three iron(III) complexes (1-3) of 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-phenyl thiosemicarbazone (HL1) and one iron(III) complex (4) of 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-cyclohexyl thiosemicarbazone (HL2) were synthesized and characterized by means of different physicochemical techniques viz., molar conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility studies and electronic, infrared and EPR spectral studies. The analytical data and the molar conductance measurements of the complexes reveal that two molecules of the ligand and the anion are coordinated to the metal atom in all the four complexes. The magnetic moments of the complexes suggest that they are of low spin. From the infrared spectra of the ligands and the complexes it is confirmed that the ligands coordinate to iron(III) as an anion coordinating via the azomethine nitrogen, pyridyl nitrogen, and the thiolate sulphur. The EPR spectra of the complexes in the polycrystalline state at 298 and 110 K and in DMF solution at 110 K were recorded and all the spectra show three g values indicating that these complexes have rhombic distortion. All the iron(III) complexes in DMF solution at 110 K have similar anisotropic spectra with almost the same gav values, indicating that the bonding in all the complexes is similar and is unaffected by the coordination of the anion.