Synthesis and spectral characterization of novel oxo-bridged, thiocarboxylato complexes of chromium(III)

Abstract

A variety of novel oxo-bridged trinuclear mixed-ligand complexes of chromium(III) were synthesized by substitution reactions of acetate ions from their respective acetate complexes. The isolated products of the types [Cr3O(OAc)3(OOCR] 3 + and [Cr3O(SOCPh)3(OOCR)3]+ (R = C13H27, C15H31 or C17H35) are mixed-ligand chromium(III) complexes with straight-chain carboxylic and thiocarboxylic acids. These were characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (infrared, electronic, FAB mass, and powder XRD) studies, molar conductances, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The IR spectra suggested the bridging nature of the carboxylate and thiocarboxylate anions along with v as (Cr3O) vibrations in the complexes. The trinuclear nature of the complexes was assessed from the FAB mass data. Electronic absorption spectra and magnetic moment data were in favor of an octahedral environment around chromium(III), which was supported by their powder X-ray diffraction data. Conductance measurements indicated that the complexes were 1: 1 electrolytes in nitrobenzene. Structures of the complexes were established on the basis of spectral and other physicochemical studies.