THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF BIS(ACETATO)BIS( IMIDAZOLE)COPPER(II) COMPLEX IN ALCOHOLS

The decomposition products which precipitated by refluxing the alcohol ic solution of bis (acetato) bis(imidazole) copper (II) ([Cu(CH3COO)2( Him)2]) (1) for 8 h were characterized by the elemental analyses and t he magnetic and spectrophotometric data. The product obtained from the 1-propanolic and ethanolic solutions of 30-7.5 mM 1 was [Cu(im)2]n(2) . The methanolic solution of 30 mM 1 gave the same product. When the p roduct obtained from a dilute methanolic solution (10 and 7.5 mM 1) wa s treated under dried air, [Cu(im)(OCH3)]n(4b) was obtained, while [Cu (im) (OH)0.4(OCH3)0.6]n(4a) was obtained when treated under ordinary l aboratory atmosphere. 4b converted to [Cu(im)(OH)]n(4c) by the hydroly sis in contact with moisture for a long time. When the product which p recipitated from the methanolic solution of 15 mM 1 was treated under ordinary atmosphere, [Cu(im)1.8 (OH)0.2]n (3) was obtained. 3 and 4a a re considered to be formed by the hydrolysis of [Cu(im)1.8(OCH3)0.2]n and by the imperfect hydrolysis of 4b, respectively. These polynuclear complexes seems to contain a chain structure consisting of square pla nar copper units. 2 revealed the highest thermal stability among these decomposition products. The process of thermal decomposition of 1 in alcohols was discussed.