Synthesis, structure, and photoluminescence of Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with N-[2-(diethylaminoalkyliminomethyl)-phenyl]-4-methylbenzenesulfonamides

Abstract Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes based on N-[2-(diethylaminoalkyliminomethyl)-phenyl]-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (HL) of composition ML2 and MHLCl2 were synthesized. The structures of the complexes were established by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, UV spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS), and X-ray crystallography. The complexes demonstrate photoluminescent properties in the blue-violet region of the spectrum with the maxima of the PL bands at 426–448 nm and quantum yields of 0.2–0.34.