Square-Planar trans-Bis-(1-p-n-octylphenylbutane-1,3-dionato) copper (II), a New Compound Exhibiting Three Kinds of ‘Double Melting’ Behaviour

Abstract

The new compound, bis-(1-p-n-octylphenylbutane-1,3-dionato) copper(II) has four polymorphs, C¹ (m.p. 96°C), all having the same squareplanar trans structure. C¹, C^a, and C^m exhibit ‘double melting’ behaviour, i.e., they melt at their was observed only on very rapid heating, while that of C^a and C^m only on slow heating. Slow solid-solid phase transition from C¹ to C^h was observed at ca 50°C. Each polymorph could be obtained as a stable form at room temperature and gave a quite different X-ray diffraction powder pattern. The interrelationships of the four forms have been clarified by differential scanning calorimetric and micriscopic measurements. When the melt of the complex is rapidly cooled, it converts into a glassy state, which is stable at room temperature. The glass transition temperature T₈ and the crystallizing temperature T_e are very close to each other at 52.5°C and 58.0°C, respectively.