Synthesis and characterization of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes derived from novel phenolic Mannich bases

The novel phenolic Mannich bases 2,2'-(2-hydroxy-4,5- dimethylbenzylazanediyl)diethanol (1) and 2-((2-(4-(2-hydroxy-4,5- dimethylbenzyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethylamino)methyl)-4,5-dimethylphenol (2) have been synthesized in good yield by using a microwave-induced technique from 3,4-dimethylphenol and corresponding amines in the presence of formaldehyde. Metal complexes of 1 and 2 for Ni(II) (3 and 5) and for Cu(II) (4 and 6) have also been prepared and all compounds have been characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. Thermal, magnetic, and electronic studies have also been reported for metal complexes. Electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements suggested tetrahedral geometry for Ni(II) (3), square planar geometry for Cu(II) (4) complexes of 1, and octahedral geometries for both Ni(II) (5) and Cu(II) (6) complexes of 2.