Metal chelates of heterocyclic nitrogen-containing ketones. XIX. Some acetato- and nitrato-copper(II) complexes of phenyl-2 picolyl ketone hydrazone and phenyl-2-picolyl ketone phenyl hydrazone

Complexes of phenyl-2-picolyl ketone hydrazone and phenyl-2-picolyl ketone phenyl hydrazone, PPKhy and PPKPhy, respectively, with hydrated copper(II) acetate or hydrated copper(II) nitrate in mole ratio 1:1 or 1:2, metal:ligand, have been prepared. Various physical techniques including molar conductivity, spectral (IR, electronic, ESR and ¹H NMR) and magnetic measurements were used to study the nature and structure of the prepared complexes. The data showed that complexes [CuLX₂], X = OAc or ONO₂ and L = PPKhy or PPKPhy, are trigonal bipyramidal, [Cu(PPKPhy)₂] (NO₃)₂ is square planar and [Cu(PPKhy)₂](NO₃)₂ is tetrahedral. The acetate and nitrate groups in the mono- ligand complexes are found to be mono- and bidentate but in the ionized sphere in the bis-ligand complexes. The ligands are present in associated form in solution via intermolecular hydrogen bond and act as neutral bidentate coordinated to the copper(II) via the pyridine and azomethine nitrogen atoms.     

Synthesis, structure and solution chemistry of quaternary oxovanadium(V) complexes incorporating hydrazone ligands

[V^IVO(acac)₂] reacts with an equimolar amount of benzoyl hydrazone of 2-hydroxyacetophenone (H₂L¹) or 5-chloro-2-hydroxyacetophenone (H₂L²) in the presence of excess pyridine (py) in methanol to produce the quaternary [V^VO(L¹)(OCH₃)(py)] (1) and [V^VO(L²)(OCH₃)(py)] (2) complexes, respectively, while under similar condition, the benzoyl hydrazones of 2-hydroxy-5-methylacetophenone (H₂L³) and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxyacetophenone (H₂L⁴) afforded only the methoxy bridged dimeric [V^VO(L³/L⁴)(OCH₃)]₂ complexes. The X-ray structural analysis of 1 and 2 indicates that the geometry around the metal is distorted octahedral where the three equatorial positions are occupied by the phenolate-O, enolate-O and the imine-N of the fully deprotonated hydrazone ligand in its enolic form and the fourth one by a methoxide-O atom. An oxo-O and a pyridine-N atom occupy two axial positions. Quaternary complexes exhibit one quasi-reversible one-electron reduction peak near 0.25 V versus SCE in CH₂Cl₂ and they decompose appreciably to the corresponding methoxy bridged dimeric complex in CDCl₃ solution as indicated by their ¹H NMR spectra. These quaternary VO³⁺ complexes are converted to the corresponding -complexes simply on refluxing them in acetone and to the -complexes on reaction with KOH in methanol. An equimolar amount of 8-hydroxyquinoline (Hhq) converts these quaternary complexes to the ternary [V^VO(L)(hq)] complexes in CHCl₃.     

Chemistry of molecular and supramolecular structures of vanadium(IV) and dioxygen-bridged V(V) complexes incorporating tridentate hydrazone ligands

Four hydrazone ligands: 2-benzoylpyridine benzoyl hydrazone (HBPB), di-2-pyridyl ketone nicotinoyl hydrazone (HDKN), quinoline-2-carbaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone (HQCB), and quinoline-2-carbaldehyde nicotinoyl hydrazone (HQCN) and four of their complexes with vanadyl salts have been synthesized and characterized. Single crystals of HBPB and complexes [VO(BPB)(μ₂-O)]₂ (1) and [VO(DKN)(μ₂-O)]₂·½H₂O (2) were isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Each of the complexes exhibits a binuclear structure where two vanadium(V) atoms are bridged by two oxygen atoms to form distorted octahedral structures within cis-N₂O₄ donor sets. In most complexes, the uninegative anions function as tridentate ligands, coordinating through the pyridyl- and azomethine-nitrogen atoms and enolic oxygen whereas in complex [VO(HQCN)(SO₄)]SO₄·4H₂O (4) the ligand is coordinated in the keto form. Complexes [VO(QCB)(OMe)]·1.5H₂O (3) and 4 are found to be EPR active and showed well-resolved axial anisotropy with two sets of eight line pattern.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and characterizations of iron(III) and copper(II) complexes with the hydrazone ligand obtained from 2-formyl-pyridine and Girard’s T reagent

The condensation of 2-formyl-pyridine with Girard’s T reagent yields a new hydrazone in the form of an ammonium quaternary salt: [H(2-PyGT)]Cl. This tridentate ligand is readily soluble in water and reacts with iron(III) or copper(II) chlorides to give [Fe(2-PyGT)Cl₃] (1) or [Cu(2-PyGT)Cl₂]·(H₂O) (2) complexes, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray studies in 1 and 2 reveal that the coordination reaction gives rise to the deprotonation of the organic ligand that is coordinated using its NNO donor atoms in the form of a zwitterion species. The coordination spheres around the transition metal ions in complexes 1 and 2 are quite different. In 1, the iron site adopts a distorted octahedral coordination sphere, while the Cu(II) ions in 2 show a distorted tetragonal-pyramid geometry. As expected, the magnetic properties of these compounds reveal only weak antiferromagnetic interaction between spin carriers.     

Dinuclear platinum complexes with designer thiolate ligands from the monoalkylation of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]

Alkylation reactions of the nucleophilic platinum(II) sulfide complex [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with functionalised alkylating agents have been investigated as a versatile synthetic route to dinuclear, cationic sulfide-thiolate complexes of the type [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh₃)₄]⁺, extending the range of thiolate complexes that can be prepared using this methodology. A wide range of functional groups can be incorporated, using appropriate alkylating agents, and include ketone, ester, amide, hydrazone, semicarbazone, thiosemicarbazone, oxime, guanidine, urea and thiourea groups.     

Pseudohalide-induced structural variations in hydrazone-based metal complexes: Syntheses,electrochemical studies and structural aspects

The effects of pseudohalides on the modes of binding of a hydrazone ligand are investigated and we report here four new hydrazone complexes [Co(L)₂] · ClO₄ (1), [Co(L)₂]₂[Co(SCN)₄] (2), [Mn(L)₂] (3) and [Mn(N₃)₂ (LH)₂] · H₂O (4) [where LH = condensation product of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde and benzhydrazide]. The hydrazone ligand is quite diverse in its chelating ability and can act as a neutral or mononegative ligand and as a bidentate or tridentate unit. In this paper, we report structures showing different denticities of the ligand having different charges. The complexes are characterized by IR, UV–Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetric studies and the structures are conclusively established by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Of the complexes, 1 and 3 are purely metal hydrazone complexes whereas 2 and 4 incorporate coordinated pseudohalides in their crystal structures, and 4 shows different coordination modes of the hydrazone ligand.     

The Cu/ligand stoichiometry effect on the coordination behavior of aroyl hydrazone with copper(II): Structure,anticancer activity and anticancer mechanism

In an effort to better understand the biological efficacy of the tridentate aroyl hydrazone Cu(II) complexes, three Cu(II) complexes of acetylpyridine benzoyl hydrazone (HL), [Cu(L)(NO₃) (H₂O)]·H₂O (C1), [Cu(L)₂] (C2) and [Cu(L)(HL)]·(NO₃)(Sas) (C3) (Sas = salicylic acid) were synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures and infrared (IR) spectra of the complexes reveal that the L⁻ ligand of C1 and C2 are predominantly in the enolate resonance form, while one L⁻ ligand in C3 is represented enolate resonance form and the other HL ligand exhibits keto resonance form. All Cu(II) complexes showed significantly more anticancer activity than the ligand alone. Interestingly, the Cu complexes where the ligand/metal ratio was 1:1 (C1) rather than 2:1 (C2 and C3) had higher antitumor efficacy. Moreover, the 1:1 Cu/ligand complex, C1, promotes A549 cell apoptosis possibly through the intrinsic reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated mitochondrial pathway, accompanied by the regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins.     

Synthesis, structure and solution chemistry of dioxidovanadium(V) complexes with a family of hydrazone ligands. Evidence of formation of centrosymmetric dimers via H-bonds in the solid state

[V^IVO(acac)₂] reacts with the methanol solution of tridentate ONO donor hydrazone ligands (H₂L^1-4, general abbreviation H₂L; are derived from the condensation of benzoyl hydrazine with 2-hydroxyacetophenone and its 5-substituted derivatives) in presence of neutral monodentate alkyl amine bases having stronger basicity than pyridine e.g., ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and piperidine (general abbreviation B) to produce BH⁺[VO₂L]⁻ (1-16) complexes. Five of these sixteen complexes are structurally characterized revealing that the vanadium is present in the anionic part of the molecule, [VO₂L]⁻ in a distorted square pyramidal environment. The complexes 5, 6, 15 and 16 containing two H-atoms associated with the amine-N atom in their cationic part (e.g., diethylammonium and piperidinium ion) are involved in H-bonding with a neighboring molecule resulting in the formation of centrosymmetric dimers while the complex 12 (containing only one hydrogen atom in the cationic part) exhibits normal H-bonding. The nature of the H-bonds in each of the four centrosymmetric dimeric complexes is different. These complexes have potential catalytic activity in the aerial oxidation of l-ascorbic acid and are converted into the [VO(L)(hq)] complexes containing VO³⁺ motif on reaction with equimolar amount of 8-hydroxyquinoline (Hhq) in methanol.     

Studies on metal carboxylates. VIII. Reactions of acetylacetonates of the first row transition elements with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

The acetylacetonates VO(acac)₂, M(acac)₃, where M = V, Mn or Fe and [M′(acac)₂]_n, where M′ = Co, Ni or Cu, have been reacted with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (dipicH₂) in acetone to afford the complexes VO(dipic)·2H₂O, M(acac)(dipic)·xH₂O [M = V, Mn or Fe and x = 1 or 0] and M₂(dipic) (dipicH)₂·yH₂O [M = Co, Ni or Cu and y = 2 or 0]. The cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes are converted to polymeric [M(dipic)]_n in ethanol and all three complexes formulated as M₂(dipic)(dipicH)₂ react with 2,2′2″-terpyridyl to yield M(dipic)(terpy)·3H₂O. The vanadium(III) complex V(acac)(dipic) is oxidized to VO(dipic)·4H₂O in aqueous solution via the vanadium(III) intermediate V(OH)(dipic)·2H₂O. Tentative structural conclusions are drawn for certain of these new complexes based upon room temperature spectral and magnetic measurements. The characterization of these complexes has included selected studies of their X-ray photoelectron spectra.     

Metal chelates of heterocyclic nitrogen-containing ketones. XIV. Metal ion,anion and substituent effects on the enolization of mono-keto compounds

A number of new complexes of iron(II), cobakt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and palladium(II) containing 2-picolyl-p-nitrophenyl- or 2-picolyl-p-tolyl ketone, L and L′, respectively, and various anions (Cl^?, Br^?, NSC^?, BF₄^? or ClO₄^?) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, ESR, IR and reflectance spectral measurements. The stereochemistry and the nature of the complexes are markedly dependent upon the molar of the reactants, the anions and the ligand substituents. In all complexes the ligands are cheated to the metal ion via the pryridine nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen atoms, whereby in the case of [ML₂]X₂, M = iron(II) and [ML₃]X₂, M = cobalt(II) or nickel(II) and X = ClO₄^? or BF₄^?, the 2-picolyl-p-nitrophenyl ketone exists in its enol form which is only deprotonated in the presence of palladium(II). The ligand field parameters (Dq, B′, λ and β) are calculated and related to the electronic environment and the basicity of the ligands.     

Two new pseudohalide-bridged Cu(II) complexes with a hydrazone ligand: Syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic studies

Two new pseudohalide-bridged copper(II) complexes [{Cu(PBH)(μ_1,1-CNO)}₂] (1) and {Cu(PBH)(μ_1,5-NCNCN)}_n (2) (where HPBH = 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone) have been synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, CV, IR and UV–Vis spectral studies. The tridentate hydrazone pro-ligand (HPBH) was obtained by the condensation of benzhydrazide and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde. Structures of both complexes have been established by X-ray crystallography which shows that 1 is a μ_1,1-CNO^?-bridged dimer whereas 2 is a μ_1,5-dca-bridged (dca = dicyanamide) linear polynuclear structure. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies indicate weak antiferromagnetic interactions with J values ?0.50 cm^?1 and ?0.10 cm^?1 for 1 and 2, respectively.     

Synthesis,characterization and antitumor activity of some metal complexes of 3- and 5-substituted salicylaldehyde o-hydroxybenzoylhydrazones

Complexes of Mn(II), Fe(III), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pt(II) with 3- and 5-substituted salicylaldehyde o-hydroxybenzoylhydrazones (XSBH, X = H, 3-NO₂, 3-CH₃O, 5-Cl, 5-Br, 5-CH₃ or 5-NO₂) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic susceptibilities (from room temperature down to liquid nitrogen temperature) and spectral studies. These studies indicate the following structures: monomeric, high-spin, distorted octahedral for Mn(XSBH)₂; monomeric, high-spin, five-coordinate for Fe(XSBH)SO₄·H₂O; dimeric, high-spin phenoxide bridged, five-coordinate for Fe(XSBH)Cl; dimeric, high-spin five-coordinate for Co(XSBH)Cl·2H₂O; dimeric low-spin, five-coordinate for Ni(XSBH)Cl·2H₂O; dimeric, four-coordinate for Zn(XSBH); and a square-planar structure for M(XSBH)Cl·H₂O (M = Cu(II) or Pt(II).Intermolecular antiferromagnetic exchange interactions are present in Fe(III) complexes, where the exchange parameter (J) is ca. −8.0 cm⁻¹ for these complexes. The Fe(III) complexes exhibit asymmetric quadrupole split doublets in their ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra. The asymmetry is found to be temperature dependent with relatively symmetrical doublets seen at low temperature. The polycrystalline ESR spectra of Cu(II) complexes are isotropic and indicate a d_x²−y² ground state in square-planar stereo-chemistry. All these metal complexes have been screened for their antitumor activity against the P 388 lymphocytic leukaemia test system in mice and enhanced antitumor activity relative to the free ligand was found but no significant activity at the dosages used.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of cobalt(III) complexes of some aroyl hydrazones: X-ray crystal structures of one cobalt(III) complex and two aroyl hydrazone ligands

Cobalt(III) complexes of diacetyl monooxime benzoyl hydrazone (dmoBH₂) and diacetyl monooxime isonicotinoyl hydrazone (dmoInH₂) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. The X-ray crystal structures of the two hydrazone ligands, as well as that of the cobalt(III) complex [Co^III(dmoInH)₂]Cl·2H₂O, are also reported. It is found that in the cobalt(III) complexes the Co(III) ion is hexa-coordinated, the hydrazone ligands behaving as mono-anionic tridentate O,N,N donors. In the [Co^III(dmoInH)₂]Cl·2H₂O complex, the amide and the oxime hydrogens are deprotonated for both the ligands, while the isonicotine nitrogens are protonated. In the [Co^III(dmoBH)₂]Cl complex, only the amide nitrogens are deprotonated. It is shown that the additional hydrogen bonding capability of the isonicotine nitrogen results in different conformation and supramolecular structure for dmoInH₂, compared to dmoBH₂, in the solid state. Comparing the structure of the [Co^III(dmoInH)₂]Cl·2H₂O with that of the Zn(II) complex of the same ligand, reported earlier, it is seen that the metal ion has a profound influence on the supramolecular structure, due to change in geometrical dispositions of the chelate rings.     

The coordination chemistry of bidentate tellurium ligands. I. Complexes of palladium,platinum, and mercury with large chelate rings

Complexes formed from the reaction of palladium(II) and platinum(II) halides with (p-EtO·C₆H₄)Te(CH₂)_nTe(C₆H₄OEt-p) (Lⁿ, n = 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) are reported together with data for some mercury(II) complexes, [HgLⁿCl₂] which are used for comparative purposes. The compounds [MLⁿX₂] (M  Pd, Pt; n = 7, 8 (Pt only), 9, 10; X  Cl, Br) have molecular weights in molten naphthalene which fluctuate about the monomer value. [ML⁶X₂] (M  Pd, Pt; X  Cl, Br) are totally insoluble and are believed to be polymeric. The palladium(II) complexes have trans dichloro groups whereas the platinum compounds show cis dichloro groups in the solid state.¹³C NMR spectra are valuable to confirm the coordination of the ligand; the methylene resonance of the TeCH₂ group undergoes a 19–20 ppm downfield shift on coordination. ¹²⁵Te NMR spectra of the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes show two broad resonances the chemical shifts of which imply the presence of cis and trans isomers in CDCl₃ solution. A more detailed variable temperature high field study of [PtL⁸Cl₂] (¹²⁵Te and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR) reveals a complex solution chemistry involving at least two cis and two trans species. The temperature range over which the solution is stable (−10 to 70 °C) is insufficient to allow a totally unambiguous interpretation but a model based on monomer ⇍ dimer equilibria provides a self consistent interpretation.     

Copper(II) complexes of N-heteroaromatic hydrazones: Synthesis, X-ray structure, magnetic behavior, and antibacterial activity

Three novel copper(II) complexes as condensation derivatives of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, 2-acetylpyridine or 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde with ethyl hydrazinoacetate hydrochloride were synthesized. X-ray crystal structures of all three complexes were determined. Crystallographic data indicate a common basis of the structures with some major differences. Both pyridine derivatives form complexes of the type [CuCl₂L] with distorted square-planar geometry around copper(II), but show a decisive difference in the side chain orientation. The quinoline derivative forms a dimeric complex of type [Cu₂Cl₄L₂] with distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry around copper(II), but a rather short Cu···Cu contact, which is reflected in its magnetic properties. All three complexes showed antibacterial activity.     

One-pot synthesis of a new 2-substituted 1,2,3-triazole 1-oxide derivative from dipyridyl ketone and isonitrosoacetophenone hydrazone: Nickel(II) complex,DNA binding and cleavage properties

An efficient and simple one-pot synthesis of a new 1,2,3-triazole-1-oxide via reaction between isonitrosoacetophenone hydrazone and dipyridyl ketone in the EtOH/AcOH at room temperature has been developed smoothly in high yield. The reaction proceeds via metal salt free, in-situ formation of asymmetric azine followed by cyclization to provide 1,2,3-triazole 1-oxide compound. It has been structurally characterized. The 1:1 ratio reaction of the 1,2,3-triazole 1-oxide ligand with nickel(II) chloride gives the mononuclear complex [Ni(L)(DMF)Cl₂], hexa-coordinated within an octahedral geometry. Characterization of the 1,2,3-triazole compound and its Ni(II) complex with FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, UV–vis and elemental analysis also confirms the proposed structures of the compounds. The interactions of the compounds with Calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated by UV–visible spectra and viscosity measurements. The results suggested that both ligand and Ni(II) complex bind to DNA in electrostatic interaction and/or groove binding, also with a slight partial intercalation in the case of ligand. DNA cleavage experiments have been also investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of an oxidative agent (H₂O₂). Both 1,2,3-triazole 1-oxide ligand and its nickel(II) complex show nuclease activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. DNA binding and cleavage affinities of the 1,2,3-triazole 1-oxide ligand is stronger than that of the Ni(II) complex.     

Metallic perchlorate salts of N-isopropyl-and N-Cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidinone

A series of metal perclorate complexes of N- isopropyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NIPP) and N-cyclohexyl- 2-pyrrolidinone (NCHP) have been synthesized, showing coordination through the carbonyl oxygen atom. These complexes have compositions with the general formulas [M(NIPP)_{4 or 6}]²⁺(ClO₄)₂ and [M(NCHP)₆]²⁺(ClO₄)₂ [M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)]. They have been characterized by IR spectra, electrical conductivity measurements, magnetic moments, X-ray diffraction patterns and electronic absorption spectra.     

Synthesis, structures and magnetic properties of 2-aminomethylpyridine-Ni(II) complexes

A family of complexes of Ni(II), 2-aminomethylpyridine (ampy) and tricyanomethanide (tcm) have been prepared and studied by IR, X-ray crystallography and variable temperature susceptibility. The complexes synthesized include [Ni(ampy)₃](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Ni(ampy)₃](tcm)(PF₆) (2), [Ni(ampy)₃](PF₆)₂ (3), [Ni(ampy)₂(H₂O)₂]Cl₂ (4), and [Ni(ampy)₂(tcm)₂] (5). No coordination polymers of tcm were obtained. The magnetic behavior of the complexes, and the known material [Ni(ampy)(NO₃)₂], is dominated by single-ion anisotropy effects with D-values in the range of −2 to −12 K, although some compounds show a weak antiferromagnetic interaction.     

Syntheses and characterization of neutral complexes of Zn(II) with mono- and dianionic pyrrole-2-imine ligands [(pyrrole-2-CHN)nR]n− (n = 1, 2)

The reactions of the dianionic [(pyrrole-2-CHN)₂R]^2? ligands [(N′₂N₂)^2?] (R = (R)(S)-1,2-cyclohexane or 1,2-ethane) with Zn(II) yield neutral dimeric [Zn₂(N′₂N₂)₂] complexes. The dimeric nature of the complexes was established by field-desorption mass spectrometry. ¹H NMR studies show that these complexes have dimeric structures in solution in which the (N′₂N₂)^2? ligands act as di-bidentates.The metal centres have tetrahedral geometries and bot have Δ or Λ configurations. The complex with the (R)(S)-1,2-cyclohexanediyl bridges has a rigid structure in solution. Neither intermolecular nor intramolecular exchange processes are observed The ¹H NMR spectrum of the complex with the 1,2-ethanediyl bridging groups shows that at 213 K in CDCl₃ a fast conformational movement is already taking place between two identical structures of the complex. It is not possible to determine whether in this complex intermolecular exchange processes are also taking place.The reactions of the anionic [pyrrole-2-CHNR′]^? ligands [(N′N)^?] (R′ = t-Bu, i-Pr, (S)-CHMePh or 2,6-xylyl) with Zn(II) yield the neutral Zn(N′N)₂ complexes. These complexes were synthesized to study the coordination properties of the [pyrrole-2-CHNR′]^? moieties with Zn(II). A ¹H NMR study established that the zinc centres in the complexes containing the prochiral i-Pr or chiral (S)-CHMePh substituents have tetrahedral geometries with Δ or Λ configurations in CDCl₃ at 213 K. These complexes undergo an intramolecular exchange process at higher temperatures (above 260 K when R′ = i-Pr) which involves inversion of the configuration of the zinc centre. A mechanism for this exchange process is proposed.     

Complexes of lanthanoid salts with macrocyclic ligands. Part 32. Synthesis and characterization of the complexes between lanthanoid nitrates and a tetraoxadiaza macrocycle

Lanthanoid nitrates react with 1,7,10,16-tetraoxa- 4,13-diaza-N,N′-dimethylcyclooctadecane, Me₂(2,2), to give complexes with two different metal:ligand ratios, 1:1 (Ln = La, Ce, Tb) and 4:3 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho). The complexes were isolated from anhydrous solutions in acetonitrile and characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility measurements and vibrational analysis.The La and Ce 1:1 complexes are non-ionic and probably 12-coordinated, with the metal ion bound to the six donor atoms of the ligand and to three bidentate nitrate ions. The 4:3 complexes are ionic; they contain three bis(nitrato) complex cations [Ln(NO₃)₂·Me₂(2,2)]⁺ and one hexakis(nitrato) anion [Ln(NO₃)₆]³⁻. Spectroscopic data, including luminescence spectra, point to the 1:1 Tb-complex as being a 4:3 complex with an additional outer-sphere coordinated molecule of ligand.In solution, the 1:1 complexes remain essentially non-ionic, although some dissociation cannot be ruled out, whereas the 4:3 complexes behave as 2:1 (of even 3:1) electrolytes.