Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of metal complexes formed in the reaction of metal ions with urea at high temperature

Abstract

Urea reacts with PtCl2, H2[PtCl6]·6H2O, H2[IrCl6] and Ni(CH3CO2)2 in aqueous solution at high temperature (60-80 °C) yielding [PtCl2(Urea)]·2H2O (1), (NH4)2[PtCl6] (2), (NH4)2[IrCl6]·H2O (3) and [Ni2(OH)2(NCO)2(H2O)2] (4) complexes, respectively. In complex 1, urea coordinates to Pt(II) as a neutral bidentate ligand via amido nitrogen atoms. In complexes 2, 3 and 4 it seems that the coordinated urea molecules decompose during the reaction at high temperature and a variety of reaction products are obtained. All complexes were isolated in moderate yields as dark green (1), yellow (2), pale brown (3) and faint green (4) precipitates, respectively. The reaction products were characterized by their microanalysis, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectra as well as thermal analysis. General mechanisms describing the formation of these complexes were suggested.