Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Electrochemical Properties of Complexes [M(ImH)4(tfbdc)(H2O)] (M=Co, Ni)

Abstract The title complexes [M(ImH) 4 (tfbdc)(H 2 O)] ( 1 : M=Co; 2 : M=Ni) (ImH=imidazole, tfbdc=2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoroterephthalate) were synthesized by the reaction of M(OAc) 2 ·4H 2 O, H 2 tfbdc and ImH in water solution. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, cyclic voltammetry and X‐ray single crystal structure analysis. Structural analysis reveals that 1 and 2 possess isostructure: monoclinic, P 2 1 / c , Z =4. M(II) ion in complexes 1 and 2 has a distorted octahedral geometry coordinated by one oxygen atom from water, one oxygen atom from tfbdc 2− and four nitrogen atoms from ImHs. They are discrete zero‐dimensional molecular complexes. And the adjacent monomeric components are connected by hydrogen bonds to form a supramolecule. Electrochemical properties of the complexes 1 and 2 show that electron transfer of M(II) between M(III) in electrolysis is a quasi‐reversible process.