Spectral, magnetic and thermal characterisation of new Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with Schiff base 5-bromo-N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)-o-tolidine

Starting from 5-bromo-N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)-o-tolidine (H2L) new complexes with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) were synthesised and characterised. The features of complexes have been assigned from microanalytical, IR, UV–Vis–NIR and EPR spectra, magnetic data at room temperature as well as thermal analysis. IR data are in accordance with bischelate nature of the deprotonated ligand that coordinates through azomethinic nitrogen and phenolic oxygen. The electronic spectra display the characteristic pattern of tetrahedral stereochemistry for [CoL]·H2O complex and octahedral one for [NiL(OH2)2]·H2O complex. The electronic spectra correlated with magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate a square-planar surrounding for [ML] (M:Ni, Cu) species, while the EPR spectrum of copper complex sustains the proposed stereochemistry. The thermal analysis evidenced that thermal transformations are complex processes according to TG, DTA and DTG curves including (crystallization or coordination) water elimination, thermolyses and oxidative degradation of Schiff base. All these processes lead to the most stable metallic oxides as final product.