Electronic and magnetic properties of the inactive form of the complex NN′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)cobalt(II), and of five-co-ordinate complexes of cobalt(II) with Schiff's bases

Abstract

The dimeric structure of the inactive form of the complex [Co(salen)][salen =NN′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminato)] has been confirmed by e.s.r. measurements. From electronic and magnetic properties the structure of the complex seems to be intermediate between those of monomeric planar [Co(salen)] and square-pyramidal [Co(salen)], pyridine. All the features due to five-co-ordination are already present, so there is no electronic reason for the inactivity of the complex towards oxygen.