Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of a Schiff-base ligand and its mononuclear Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes

Mononuclear Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes of Schiff-base ligand(HL1) derived from 8-acetyl-7-hydroxycoumarin and P-phenylenediamine were prepared and characterized by microanalytical, mass, UV–Vis, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, ESR, conductance and fluorescence studies. The measured low molar conductance values in DMSO indicate that the complexes are non-electrolytes. The structures of the solid complexes under study are established by using IR, electronic and ESR spectroscopy suggesting that Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes are octahedral, Cd(II) complex is tetrahedral, Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes are square planar. The ESR spectrum of the Cu(II) complex in DMSO at 298 and 150 K was recorded and its salient features are reported, it supports the mononuclear structure. The Schiff base exhibited photoluminescence originating from intraligand (π–π*) transitions. Metal-mediated enhancement is observed on complexation of HL with Zn(II) and Cd(II), whereas metal-mediated fluorescence quenching occurs in Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II).