Synthesis, crystal structure, thermal properties of copper(II) acrylate complex with 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine and its use in nanomaterials science

•A new copper(II) acrylate/terpyridine complex has been synthesized.•Thermolysis of the complex leads to copper-containing nanomaterials.•The nanomaterials are effective additives to lubricant. The reaction between copper(II) acrylate and 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine resulted in a new metal-containing monomer 1, which was characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in triclinic form with space group P-1. The chelate node of complex 1 is close to an ideal tetragonal pyramidal structure and includes three nitrogen atoms of the terpyridine ligand and two oxygen atoms of acrylate fragments. Medium-strong hydrogen bond interactions lead to infinite 1D chains. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the thermolysis process of complex 1 were studied. As a result of thermolysis process, nanomaterials of the Cu@C core-shell type were obtained. The resulting nanomaterials are effective antiwear and antifriction additives for lubricating oils. [Display omitted]