Abstract
The ultraviolet photochemistry of N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine copper(II), Cu(sal)2en, was investigated with low pressure mercury lamp. Redution of Cu(Ⅱ) and formation of Cl- were shown on 254 nm irradiation both for aerated and deaerated chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent such as CH2Cl2, chloroform, and 1,2-dichloroethane. Relatively long lived $({\tau}=100{\mu}sec)$ intermediate was detected by flash photolysis. Overall photo-process can be described as the formation of Cl- and new copper complex, product(1) by chlorohydrocarbon mediation, photoinduced reduction by abstraction of halogen from solvent, followed by redox induced substitution of axial ligand with chlorine. Product(1) is possibly Cu(III) chlorosalicylaldeimido complex and cyclic -CH2CH2- moiety is absent in the structure. 247nm band of Cu(sal)2en should contain ligand to metal charge transfer character.