Synthesis, DFT and X-ray Studies of Trans CuCl₂L₂ with L Is (E)-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(3-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)methanimine

Abstract

A novel approach was carried to prepare trans-CuCl2L2 complex with the ligand L, (E)-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)methanimine which was formed in situ during the reaction of CuCl2 with 4-(4-chlorobenzylideneamino)-5-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3(4H)-thione. The synthesized compounds were characterized by applying various spectroscopic techniques. The crystal structure of the complex was unambiguously determined using X-ray analysis indicating square planar geometry. Intermolecular H-bonds govern the supramolecular structure of the copper complex. Aromatic rings are stacked in an offset packing due to occurrence of π–π interactions. The structure is further corroborated with a detailed computational investigation. A thione–thiol tautomerism for the triazole compound was also studied. The Schiff base 1,2,4-triazole copper chloride complex is expected to have high anticancer activity.

Keywords

• 1,2,4-Triazole
• Schiff base
• copper complex
• DFT studies