Synthesis and characterization of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with a tetramethyltetraaza macrocycle containing 2-pyridylmethyl pendant arms

The complexes [Ni(L2)](ClO4)2·H2O (1) and [Cu(L2)]Cl2·4H2O (2) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, electronic absorption and cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structure of 1 reveals a distorted octahedral geometry with four nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle and two nitrogen atoms of the pendant pyridylmethyl groups. The structure of 2 shows that the complex is centrosymmetric and the metal center has a tetragonally distorted octahedral environment. The electronic spectra and electrochemical behaviors of the complexes are significantly affected by the presence of the pendant arms.