Abstract

Three complexes of the general formula M{CpFe(η5-C5H4CH=N–N=C(S)NH2}2 [where M = NiII (2a), PdII (2b) and ZnII (2c)] were synthesized with formylferrocene thiosemicarbazone (1) as a bidentate ligand. All compounds were characterized using conventional spectroscopic and analytical techniques (infrared, 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis). The molecular structure of 2b was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis. To study the photocatalytic activity of the new complexes (2a–c), methylene blue (MB) was selected as a model pollutant. After 180 min, the degradation efficiency of MB reached 87% for 2a, 76% for 2b and 85% for 2c, and all complexes showed a higher photocatalytic activity than the formylferrocene thiosemicarbazone free ligand 1. Theoretical studies were used to characterize the geometry and electronic structure of the compounds and to provide a rational explanation for the measured photocatalytic activity.