Synthesis and spectral characterization of mercury(II) complexes with the bidentate Schiff base ligand N,N′-bis(2,3-dimethoxybenzylidene)-1,2-diaminoethane: The crystal structures of [Hg((23-MeO-ba)2en)I2] and [Hg((23-MeO-ba)2en)Br2]

Three mercury(II) complexes, [Hg((23-MeO-ba)2en)X2] (X = I (1), Br (2) and Cl(3)), and the ligand (23-MeO-ba)2en ((23-MeO-ba)2en = N,N′-bis(2,3-dimethoxybenzylidene)-1,2-diaminoethane) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray crystallography from single-crystal data. The metal-to-ligand ratio was found to be 1:1. The mercury(II) center in 1 and 2 has a distorted tetrahedral geometry with HgN2I2 and HgN2Br2 chromophores, respectively. The Schiff base ligand (23-MeO-ba)2en acts as a chelating ligand, coordinating via the two nitrogen atoms to the mercury(II) center, and it adopts an E,E conformation. The coordination sphere of the mercury(II) center in 1 and 2 is completed by the two I and Br atoms, respectively. In complex 1 an inter-molecular non-classical hydrogen bond of the type C–H⋯O was found, while in complex 2 inter- and intra-molecular non-classical hydrogen bonds of the type C–H⋯X (X = O and Br) were found. The 1H NMR spectra of the complexes exhibit downfield as well as upfield shifts of the free ligand resonances, reflecting changes in the ligand’s geometry during its coordination.

Graphical abstractThree mercury(II) complexes, [Hg((23-MeO-ba)2en)X2] (X = I (1), Br (2) and Cl(3)), have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal and molecular structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray crystallography from single-crystal data. The mercury(II) center in 1 and 2 has a distorted tetrahedral geometry with HgN2I2 and HgN2Br2 chromophores, respectively. The Schiff base ligand (23-MeO-ba)2en acts as a chelating ligand, coordinating via the two nitrogen atoms to the mercury(II) center. The coordination sphere of the mercury(II) center in 1 and 2 is completed by the two I and Br atoms, respectively.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Schiff base ligands and their complexes have been studied because of their interesting properties. ► They can bind to a metal ion via two nitrogen atoms of imine groups. ► They usually act as chelating N,N ligands with transition metal ions.