Synthesis and structural characterization of a novel dinuclear complex compound formed by the aerial oxidation of cobalt(ii) having an interligand C-C σ-bond

The aerial oxidation of cobalt(ii) salt, in a methanolic solution, containing a hydrazone ligand, (E)-N'-(4-oxo-4-phenylbutan-2-ylidene) benzohydrazide (condensation product of benzoyl acetone and benzhydrazide, LH₂) leads to the coupling of two such ligand units through the formation of a rather long C-C bond [1.601(6) Å] giving rise to a dinuclear Co (iii) hydrazone complex, [Co₂(L)₂(L') ₂]•0.25H₂O (L' = C-C coupled hydrazone ligand). The structure of the complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography and IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and elemental analysis have characterized the complex. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.