Synthesis and crystal structure of copper(II) complex with Schiff base from salicylaldehyde and 1,2-phenylenediamine

A new complex [Cu(saloph)]{[Cu(salobp)(2)]Cl} (1) was synthesized by the reaction of CuCl and the Schiff base ligand (saloph) derived from salicylaldehyde and 1,2-phenylenediamine. Under hydrothermal conditions, in the presence of Cu(I) ion and methanol, saloph is converted into the benzimidazole ligand (salobp). The-single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that 1 contains discrete [Cu(saloph)] (A), [Cu(salobp)(2)]Cl (B) in the asymmetric unit. In A, the geometry around the Cu(II) is almost square planar with two nitrogens and two oxygens from saloph providing the tetradentate coordination, while in B, the geometry around the Cu(II) is linear with two nitrogens from two different monodentate benzimidazole ligands (salobp).