Convenient one-pot synthesis of symmetrical dithiocarbamates

Self-assembled symmetrical metal dithiocarbamates of the type M-2(hdtc), where [M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) and hdtc = (S2N2C3H4)(2)CH2] with a closed-ring system, have been synthesized by a convenient one-pot synthesis in moderate yields. Based on elemental analyses, IR, TGA, and magnetic susceptibility measurements, a square-planar geometry has been proposed for the Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) dithiocarbamates, while the Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) complexes have been suggested to have a tetrahedral geometry. It has been observed that the dithiocarbamato moiety is symmetrically bonded to the metal ion via both sulfur atoms of the -NCS2 group. Since the dithiocarbamates are covalently bonded to the metal ions they are non-conducting in solution.