Two diamides 1,5-bis (2-hydroxybenzamido)-4-azo-pentane (H2L) and 1,7-bis(2
-hydroxybenzamido)-4-azo-heptane (H2L), which can act both as mononucleatin
g and binucleating ligands, have been synthesised. Mononuclear LCu.H2O and
binuclear complexes of the type LCu2Cl2H2O and L(CuA)(2)(ClO4)(2) (where A
= bipyridyl or 1,10 phenanthroline) have been synthesised and characterised
by spectroscopic, electrochemical, magnetic and mass spectral studies.