We have explored the suitability of an O,N,N-donor Schiff base (H 2 SB) for obtaining dinuclear complexes with heavy metal ions such as Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Co 2+ (borderline acids) as well as Pd 2+ and Cd 2+ (soft acids). Spectroscopic studies demonstrated that the complexation of H 2 SB and Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Pd 2+ , and Cd 2+ occurred at a 1:1 stoichiometry. We have found two square planar centers with Pd-N-Pd angles of 93.08(11) • and a Pd-Pd distance of 3.0102(4) Å in Pd 2 (SB) 2 ·Me 2 CO. This Pd-Pd distance is 30% shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii, which is in accordance with a strong palladophilic interaction. Fluorescence studies on H 2 SB-M 2+ interaction showed that H 2 SB can detect Cu 2+ ions in a sample matrix containing various metal ions (hard, soft, or borderline acids) without interference. Determination of binding constants showed that H 2 SB has a greater affinity for borderline acids than for soft acids.Crystals 2019, 9, 407 2 of 15 obtaining dinuclear complexes with heavy metal ions such as Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Co 2+ (borderline acids) as well as Pd 2+ and Cd 2+ (soft acids) through a double µ 2 -N sulphonamido bridge (Figure 1 , right). Spectroscopic studies demonstrated that the complexation of H 2 SB and Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Pd 2+ , and Cd 2+ occurred at a 1:1 stoichiometry. The crystal structure of Pd 2 (SB) 2 ·Me 2 CO, which has been elucidated by using single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques, has shown a Pd-Pd distance of 3.0102(4) Å, which is sensibly shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii (4.30 Å). This latter value corresponds to that deduced from recent statistical analyses of intermolecular contacts in deposited X-ray crystal structures, paying also special attention to homoatomic contacts involving Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, and Au [26]. Fluorescence studies on the interaction of H 2 SB towards heavy metal ions such as Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Pd 2+ revealed the ability of H 2 SB to detect Cu 2+ in aqueous solutions containing various metal ions (hard, soft, or borderline acids) without interference. Determination of binding constants showed that H 2 SB has a greater affinity for borderline acids than for soft acids.Crystals 2019, 9, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 15 dinuclear complexes with heavy metal ions such as Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Co 2+ (borderline acids) as well as Pd 2+ and Cd 2+ (soft acids) through a double μ2-Nsulphonamido bridge (Figure 1, right). Spectroscopic studies demonstrated that the complexation of H2SB and Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Co 2+ , Pd 2+ , and Cd 2+ occurred at a 1:1 stoichiometry. The crystal structure of Pd2(SB)2·Me2CO, which has been elucidated by using single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques, has shown a Pd-Pd distance of 3.0102(4) Å, which is sensibly shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii (4.30 Å). This latter value corresponds to that deduced from recent statistical analyses of intermolecular contacts in deposited X-ray crystal structures, paying also special a...