Copper(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes containing the enolate of N-acetyl-3-butanoyltetramic acid (Habta) and its phenylhydrazone derivative analogues. Crystal structure of [Cu(abta)(2)(py)(2)]center dot 2H(2)O

Reaction of N-acetyl-3-butanoyltetramic acid (N-acetyl-3-butanoyl-4-hydroxy pyrrolidin-2-one) (Habta) with M(CH3CO2)(2). xH(2)O (x=1, 2 or 4; M=Cu-II, Co-II or Ni-II) in a 1:1 ratio gave M(CH3CO2)(abta). yH(2)O 1, 3, 5 and in 1:2 ratio M(abta)(2).y'H2O 2, 4, 6. A new ligand, the phenylhydrazone of Ha bta (HPhabta), has been prepared and reacts with M(CH3CO2)(2). xH(2)O (x=2 or 4; M=Cu-II or Co-II) in a 1:1 and 1:2 ratio to give the analogous comple xes M(CH3CO2)(Phabta). zH(2)O 9, 11 and M(Phabta)(2).z'H2O 10 respectively. The solid state structure of [Cu(abta)(2)(py)(2)]. 2H(2)O 2a has been dete rmined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. It shows that copper adopts a s lightly distorted octahedral co-ordination geometry with the abta enolate l igand adopting an O,O' mode of co-ordination via the functionalities associ ated with C-4 and the acyl group at C-3 in the pyrrolidine ring. The reacti on of Habta with Zn(CH3CO2)(2). 2H(2)O in 1:1 ratio gives a complex 7 with a deacetylated ligand whereas, with 1:2 ratio, Zn(abta)(2). 2H(2)O 8 is obt ained. In contrast the reaction of HPhabta with Zn(CH3CO2)(2). 2H(2)O, irre spective of the metal to ligand ratio, gives Zn(CH3CO2)(Phbta). 2H(2)O 12 c ontaining the deacetylated ligand.