New Synthetic Techniques for Incorporation of Thiolate Donation in Transition Metal Complexes

Abstract

A new method for the synthesis of metal complexes containing mixed nitrogen/sulfur coordination spheres is discussed. The use of 2,2′-dithiodibenzaldehyde as the source of the sulfur donors obviates the need for protection of the thiolate moiety. The reaction involves a concerted Schiff-base condensation and disulfide bond reduction. Mononuclear and dinuclear complexes of Ni(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), and Co(III) have been prepared by this method, including the first mononuclear Ni(II) complex of a non-porphyrinic tetradentate N₃S ligand.

Keywords:

• Metal-thiolate complexes
• iron complexes
• nickel complexes
• copper complexes
• cobalt complexes
• disulfides