Square planar complexes of Cu(II) with an N₂O donor set of a new Schiff base ligand: Synthesis and structural aspects

The title compounds, [Cu(C₁₆H₂₃N₂O)SCN] (1) and [Cu(C₁₆H₂₃N₂O)N₃] (2), containing a tridentate Schiff base ligand, which is the 1:1 condensation product of benzoylacetone and 2-diethylaminoethylamine, have been synthesised and their crystal structures determined. The structure of 1 is based on a four coordinate copper centre with square-planar geometry formed by the N ₂O donor set of the Schiff base and an N atom of the thiocyanate anion. A similar arrangement occurs in 2 with the N₂O donor set of the Schiff base and an N atom of the azide anion. The Cu-N and Cu-O distances are 1.924(8), 2.073(8), 1.927(9) and 1.910(6) Å, for 1 and 1.960(4), 2.050(4), 1.935(4) and 1.907(3) for 2, respectively.