The synthesis and characterization of [Ni (BCE)] and [Cu (BCE)] (where BCE=bis (3-chloroacetylacetone) ethylenediimine) are described. The coordination geometry of [Ni (BCE)] was determined by X-ray crystallography. It was found to be planar and four coordinate in the solid state. The electrochemical properties of M (Chel), where M=Co (II), Ni (II) and Cu (II), and Chel= BAE (bis (acetylacetone) ethylenediimine), BBE=bis (benzoylacetone) ethylenediimine, BFE (bis (1, 1, 1-triflouroacetylacetone) ethylenediimine and BCE ligands were investigated in DMF and DMSO as solvents. The oxidation potentials changed from left to right in the periodic table in the trend: Co< Ni<Cu, while the reduction potentials changed according to the trend: Ni>Co >Cu.
The oxidation potentials of M (II) to M (III) (M=Ni and Cu) increased according to the Schiff base ligands in the trend: BAE<BBE<BCE<BFE, while the reduction potentials followed a reverse trend: BAE>BE>BCE>BFE. The oxidation potentials of M (II) to M (III) increased according to the solvent in the trend: DMSO<DMF.