Heterodinuclear Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) Schiff base complexes and their activity in oxygen reduction

New Cu(ii)/Ni(ii) heterodinuclear complexes with salphen-type ligands were synthesised via a stepwise template method. DFT studies were performed to understand their electronic properties, showing localisation of the HOMO on the Ni(ii) fragment, while in the oxidised species the spin density was high at some carbon phenolate atoms. These new complexes were potentiodynamically electropolymerised on glassy carbon and platinum. Atomic force microscopy was used to evaluate the influence of the metal centres on the morphology of the polymers, revealing how the presence of Cu(ii) increased the surface roughness. The oxygen reduction reaction was observed on both glassy carbon and platinum modified electrodes in neutral medium.