Vanadium(IV) Schiff base Complex: Synthesis, Characterization, Crystal Structure and Thermal Decomposition into V2O5 Particles

Vanadium(IV) complex [VO((MeO-bph)2en)] (1), (MeO-bph)2en=N,N¢-bis(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone)-1,2-ethanediamine, was synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses (CHN), FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, SEM and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The title complex 1 was prepared by the reaction of VO(acac)2, 1,2-ethanediamine and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (molar ratio 1:1:2). The single-crystal X-ray analysis of 1 shows that the vanadium(IV) ion is located in a distorted square pyramid (N2O3) environment with the tetradentate Schiff base ligand coordinated in equatorial positions and one oxygen atom in the axial position. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the complex 1 decomposes in two stages. Finally, the complex was calcinated at 500 °C for 3 h and the V2O5 products characterized by FT-IR and SEM.