SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF UREA SCHIFF BASE LIGAND DERIEVED FROM UREA AND ACETOPHENONE AND ITS CO (II) CHELATE

ABSTRACT The complexes with a Schiff base derived from condensation reaction of urea and acetophenone has been synthesized and characterized analytically and spectroscopically. The complexes formed in the reaction of urea Acetophenone with Co (II), ions have ben investigated at 90˚C. These was characterized through electronic and infrared spectra as well as elementally and conductively analysis. The obtained results showed that the known reactions to lichenometries as well as the elemental measurements. The high values of molar conductivity of some of the resulting urea complexes show them to be electrolytes in nature. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study A Schiff base, named after Hugo Schiff, is a compound with a functional group that contains a carbon-nitrogen double bond with the nitrogen atom connected to an aryl or alkyl group, not hydrogen (Raman et al., 2003). Schiff bases in a broad sense have the general formula R1R2C=NR3, where R is an organic side chain. In the definition, Schiff base is synonymous with azomethine. Some restrict the term to the aldimines (azomethines) (where the carbon is connected to a hydrogen atom), thus the general formula RCH=NR (Brikner et al., 2000). These are characterized by the presence of azomethine grouping (>C=N-) which offers one of the possible coordination site through the donor nitrogen atom. Other functional groups such as -OH, -SH, -NH, or -COOH etc., present in the molecule at suitable sites help in the formation of stable chelating rings. Depending upon the number of possible donor sites available in the molecule, Schiff bases are referred to as bi, tri, tetra, penta, hexa or polydentate ligands. Schiff bases have played an importance role in the development of coordination chemistry as they readily form stable complexes with most of the metals. They show interesting properties, e.g. antibacterial activity (Chandra et al., 2009), antiviral activity (Kumar et al., 2010), antitumor activity (Quirogo et al., 2004) anticancer (Dongfan et al., 2008), hydrolysis (Chakarborty et al., 1994) and electro-reduction (Eiectrochem et al., 2009). Several Schiff bases posses anti flammatory (Jayshree et al., 2004), allergic inhibitors reducing activity (Hadjiparalu et al., 1998) radical scavenging, Analgesic (De et al., 1999) and oxidative action (Luo et al., 2002). 1.2 History of Schiff Bases Hugo (Ugo) Schiff (26 April 1834 – 8 September 1915) was an Italian naturalized chemist (Qin et al., 2013). The son of a Jewish businessman and brother of the physiologist Moritz Schiff was German by nationality. He discovered Schiff bases and other imines, and was responsible for research into aldehydes; leading to his development of the Schiff bases test. He also worked in the field of amino acids and the Biuret reagent (1864). Born in Frankfurt am Main, Schiff was a student of Friedrich Wohler in Gottingen, he completed his dissertation (Uber einigeNaphthyl- und Phenylderivate) also supervised by Wohler in 1857. In the same year, due to political turmoil, Schiff left Germany in 1857 for Switzerland and the University of Bern. He was a supporter of socialism and reportly corresponded with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles. He was a cofounder of the socialist Italian newspaper L’Avanti in 1894 (Tidwell, 2008). Schiff moved to Italy in 1863, holding position in Pisa and then the Florence Museum of Natural History. In 1870 he cofounded the journal Gazzetta Chemical Italian together with Stanislao Cannizzaro. In 1877, he became a professor of general chemistry in Turin and returned to Florence in 1879 as a professor of general chemistry at what later would become the University of Florence, where he found the Chemical Institution of the University of Florence. Schiff died in Florence, at the University of Florence. The Hugo Schiff International Store House still exist today (Tidwell, 2008). 1.3 Aims and Objectives of the Study The main aim of this study is to synthesis and characterize urea Schiff base (derived from urea and acetophenone) chelate of Co(II). The specific objectives are to: i. Synthesize urea Schiff base derived from urea and acetophenone ii. Synthesis urea Schiff base chelate using Co(II) iii. Characterize Schiff ligand and its complex using spectroscopic technique such as AAS, UV, and IR. iv. Make recommendations where necessary. 1.4 Statement of the Problem Despite a multifactored urea fertilizer quality regulatory process with numerous and diverse participants, fertilizer quality remains a challenge in Nigeria. Fake, adulterated and misbranded fertilizer, as well as underweight fertilizer bags are prevalent in the Nigerian market (FGN2006). Not only have fertilizer quality issues been identified as a major constraint to fertilizer use in Nigeria, but farmers have indicated interest in higher fertilizer use, despite the cost, if they were assured of improved quality (Nagy and Edun 2002; Chude 2006). This highlights a great for a continued search compounds which are most effective than conventional fertilizers avalanble in the market. 1.5 Significance of the Study Schiff bases are condensation product of primary amines with carbonyl compounds gaining importance day by day in present scenario. Schiff bases are also used a catalysts, pigments and dyes intermediates in organic synthesis, polymer stabilizer and corrosion inhibitors. To produce fertilizer that is more effective.