Syntheses, Spectral, Thermal and Electrochemical Studies of 3-Carboxylacetonehydroxamic Acid and its Iron(Ii), Cobalt(Ii), Nickel(Ii), Copper(Ii) and Zinc(Ii) Complexes

3-Carboxylacetonehydroxamic acid (CAHA) and its iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis and IR spectra and magnetic susceptibility. The pK _a1 and pK _a2 values of the ligand in aqueous solution were found to be 6.5 ± 0.1 and 8.6 ± 0.1, which correspond to dissociation of carboxyl and hydroxamic protons, respectively. The dianion CAH acts as a tetradentate ligand through the hydroxamate and carboxylate groups and coordinates to the divalent metal ions, forming coordination polymers with a metal-to-ligand ratio of 1 : 1 in the solid state. FTIR spectra and thermal decomposition of the ligand and its metal complexes were recorded and briefly discussed. The electrochemical behavior of the complexes was investigated by square wave voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry at neutral pH. In contrast to the solid state, the iron(II) and copper(II) cations form stable complex species with a metal-to-ligand ratio of 1 : 2 in solution. The iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes show two-electron irreversible reduction behavior, while the copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes undergo quasi-reversible and reversible electrode reactions, respectively. The stability constants of the complexes were determined by square wave voltammetry.