Synthesis, X-ray structural characterization and solution studies of a mononuclear Ni(II)-Schiff base complex bearing free formyl groups

A new mononuclear Ni(II)-Schiff base complex has been synthesized and structurally characterized through X-ray crystallography. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with a = 17.268(7), b = 14.619(6) and c = 10.683(4) Angstrom. The molecular structure shows that the Ni(II) ion is in the distorted octahedral environment in which two phenolic oxygen atoms occupy the axial positions. Two -CHO groups arising out of the 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol remain as pendants. UV/vis and cyclic voltammetric experiments have been performed of the Ni(II) complex in DMF solution and the results compare well with the previously reported systems.