Formation of CC and CO bonds via solvothermal in situ metal–ligand reaction: Synthesis and crystal structures of two novel nickel(II) complexes supported by in situ generated polydentate Schiff base ligands

Under solvothermal conditions, complexes Ni(HL2) (1) and Ni(L3)·MeOH (2·MeOH) (H3L2 = N-(2-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)picolinamide; H2L3 = 1-(pyridin-2-yl)prop-1-ene-1,2-diyl)bis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis((methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)diphenol) have been synthesized from the reaction of Ni(CH3COO)2·4H2O with 2-((pyridin-2-ylmethyleneamino)methyl)phenol (HL1) at 70 and 90 °C, respectively. The complexes were characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The plausible mechanisms for the formation of H3L2 and H2L3 via solvothermal in situ metal–ligand reactions were proposed.

Graphical abstractTwo novel coordination complexes Ni(HL2) (1) and Ni(L3)·MeOH (2·MeOH) have been synthesized and characterized. The plausible mechanisms for the formation of H3L2 and H2L3 via solvothermal in situ metal–ligand reactions were proposed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Two nickel(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized. ► The temperature controlled in situ metal–ligand reaction was determined. ► The plausible mechanisms for the formation of new ligands were proposed.