Spectroscopic and density functional theory investigation of novel Schiff base complexes

Novel Schiff base (H(2)L, 1,2-bis[(2-(2-mercaptophenylimino)methyl)phenoxy] ethane) derived from condensation of bisaldehyde and 2-aminothiophenol was prepared in a molar ratio 1:2. The ligand and its metal complexes are fully characterized with analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The metal complexes with Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Th(IV) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, thermal and magnetic measurements. The results suggested that the Schiff base is a bivalent anion with hexadentate OONNSS donors derived from the etheric oxygen (O, O'), azomethine nitrogen (N, N') and thiophenolic sulphur (S, S'). The formulae of the complexes were found to be [ML]·xH(2)O (M=Mn(II) (x=0), Co(II) (x=1), Ni(II), (x=1), Cu(II) (x=2) and Zn(II) (x=0)) and [ML]·nCl (M=Cr(III) (n=1), Fe(III) (n=1) and Th(IV) (n=2)). The thermogravimetric analysis of the complexes shows metal oxide remaining as the final product at 700-1000 °C. Density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G(*) level of theory was used to investigate molecular geometry, Mulliken atomic charges and energetics. The synclinal-conformer was found to be responsible for complex formation. The calculation showed that ligand has weak field. Structural deformation and the dihedral angles rotation during complexation were investigated. The binding energy of each complex was calculated. The calculated results are in good agreement with experimental data.