Equilibrium and structural studies on Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid: crystal structures of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Combined pH-metric, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and EPR spectral investigations on the complex formation of M(II) ions (M=Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) with N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid (H₂bzimida, hereafter H₂L) in aqueous solution at a fixed ionic strength, I=10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³, at 25 ± 1 °C indicate the formation of M(L), M(H₋₁L)⁻ and M₂(H₋₁L)⁺ complexes. Proton-ligand and metal-ligand constants and the complex formation equilibria have been elucidated. Solid complexes, M(L)(H₂O)₂] · nH₂O (n=1 for M = Co and Zn, n=2 for M = Ni) and {Cu (μ-L) · 4H₂O}_n, have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, conductance and magnetic measurements and thermal studies. Structures of Ni(L)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O and {Cu(μ-L) · 4H₂O}_n have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The nickel(II) complex exists in a distorted octahedral environment in which the metal ion is coordinated by the two carboxylate O atoms, the amino-N atom of the iminodiacetate moiety and the pyridine type N-atom of the benzimidazole moiety. Two aqua O atoms function as fifth and sixth donor atoms. The copper(II) complex is made up of interpenetrating polymeric chains of antiferromagnetically coupled Cu(II) ions linked by carboxylato bridges in syn-anti (apical-equatorial) bonding mode and stabilized via interchain hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions.