Thermal, spectroscopic, and solvent influence studies on mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes containing the bulky ligand: Bis[N-(p-tolyl)imino]acenaphthene

Four mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes containing the rigid bidentate nitrogen ligand bis[N-(p-tolyl)imino]acenaphthene (abb. p-Tol-BIAN) ligand are reported. These complexes, namely [Cu(p-Tol-BIAN)2](ClO4)21, [Cu(p-Tol-BIAN)(acac)](ClO4) 2, [Cu(p-Tol-BIAN)Cl2] 3 and [Cu(p-Tol-BIAN)(AcOH)2](ClO4)24 (where acac, acetylacetonate and AcOH, acetic acid) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic, magnetic and molar conductance measurements. ESR spectra suggest a square planar geometry for complexes 1 and 2. In complexes 3 and 4, a distorted tetrahedral arrangement around copper(II) centre was suggested. Solvatochromic behavior of all studied complexes indicates strong solvatochromism of their solutions. The observed solvatochromism is mainly due to the solute-solvent interaction between the chelate cation and the solvent molecules. Thermal properties and decomposition kinetics of all complexes are investigated. The kinetic parameters (E, A, ΔH, ΔS and ΔG) of all thermal decomposition stages have been calculated using the Coats-Redfern and other standard equations.