Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New Binuclear Copper(II) Carboxylate Complex as a Precursor for Copper(II) Oxide Nanoparticles

A paddle-wheel copper(II) carboxylate complex of the type [Cu2(2-nb)4(EtOH)2] (1), where 2-nb = 2-nitrobenzoate, is synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The results show that the complex has a square pyramidal geometry around the metal center. Combustion of copper(II) carboxylate gives copper(II) oxide nanoparticles which were characterized by powder XRD, SEM, EDX, and IR analyses. This study indicates that the coordination compound represents a suitable single precursor for the synthesis of CuO nanoparticles.