The synthesis and characterization of (E,E)-dioxime and its transition metal complexes containing 12-membered macrocycles linked to ferrocenyl-methyl groups

13,14-bis(Hydroxyimino)-4,7-bis(ferrocenylmethyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 9-octahydrobenzo[k]-4, 7-diaza-1,10-dithiacyclododecine[13,14-g]-quinoxaline (H2L) has been prepared from (E,E)-dichloroglyoxime and 12,13-diamino-4,7- bis(ferrocenylmethyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-octahydrobenzo[k]-4,7-diaza-1, 10-dithiacyclododecine which was synthesized from 12,13-dinitro-4,7- bis(ferrocenylmethyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-octahydrobenzo[k]4,7-diaza-1,10-dithia cyclododecine. Mononuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of H2L have a metal-ligand ratio of 1 : 2 and the ligand coordinates through two nitrogen atoms, as do most (E,E)-dioximes. The homotrinuclear [Cu(L)2Cu2(dipy)2](NO3)2 compound coordinates to the other two copper(II) ions through deprotonated oximate oxygens and two 2,2′-dipyridyl as an end-cap ligand to yield the trinuclear structure. The ligand and its complexes have been characterized on the basis of 1H, 13C NMR, IR and MS spectroscopy and elemental analyses. © 2007 Taylor & Francis