Trinuclear Complexes of Zinc(II) and Cobalt(II) with a Tridentate Schiff Base Ligand Containing Phenolate and Pyridine Donor Groups

Acetate trinuclear metal complexes of ZnII and CoII with the potentially tridentate Schiff base ligand, having mixed phenolate, imine, and pyridine donor groups, HL, were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by microanalysis, LSI mass spectrometry, IR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. Crystal structures of [M3L2(OAc)4] (M = ZnII, CoII) complexes, were also determined. The X‐ray structures show the presence of trinuclear complexes with metal ions joined by phenolate and acetate bridging groups. The ligands coordinate to the metal ions through the imine nitrogen and their corresponding attached pyridyl and phenolate groups. The coordination environment for the metal ions is completed by bridging acetate anions to generate an octahedral coordination arrangement for the CoII complex and mixed distorted, bipyramidal trigonal and octahedral arrangements for the ZnII complex.