Copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with terpene derivatives of ethylenediamine: unexpected ligand transformations

Crystallization of copper and zinc complexes with imino terpene derivatives of ethylenediamine causes unexpected chemical transformation of the ligand. Copper(II) chloride catalyzes the hydrolysis of the imine and also acts as a halogenating agent. Crystallization of the zinc complex in acetone is accompanied by the condensation of the ketone with the primary amino group of the ligand.