Synthesis, characterization, X‐ray structure, electrochemistry, photocatalytic activity and DFT studies of heterotrinuclear Ni(II), Pd(II) and Zn(II) complexes containing a formylferrocene thiosemicarbazone ligand

Three complexes of the general formula M{CpFe( η 5 ‐C 5 H 4 CH=N–N=C(S)NH 2 } 2 [where M = Ni II ( 2a ), Pd II ( 2b ) and Zn II ( 2c )] were synthesized with formylferrocene thiosemicarbazone ( 1 ) as a bidentate ligand. All compounds were characterized using conventional spectroscopic and analytical techniques (infrared, 1 H and 13 C NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis). The molecular structure of 2b was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. To study the photocatalytic activity of the new complexes ( 2a–c ), methylene blue (MB) was selected as a model pollutant. After 180 min, the degradation efficiency of MB reached 87% for 2a , 76% for 2b and 85% for 2c , and all complexes showed a higher photocatalytic activity than the formylferrocene thiosemicarbazone free ligand 1 . Theoretical studies were used to characterize the geometry and electronic structure of the compounds and to provide a rational explanation for the measured photocatalytic activity.