Copper(I) complexes, copper(I)/O(2) reactivity, and copper(II) complex adducts, with a series of tetradentate tripyridylalkylamine tripodal ligands

Oligonuclear copper complexes of a bioinspired pyrazolate-bridging ligand: synthesis, structures, and equilibria in solution

The synthesis of a new bioinspired dinucleating ligand scaffold based on a bridging pyrazolate with appended bis[2-(1-methylimidazolyl)methyl]aminomethyl chelate arms is reported. This ligand forms very stable copper complexes, and a series of different species is present in solution depending on the pH. Interconversions between these solution species are tracked and characterized spectroscopically, and X-ray crystallographic structures of three distinct complexes that correspond to the species present in solution from acidic to basic pH have been determined. Overall, this provides a comprehensive picture of the copper coordination chemistry of the new ligand system. Alterations in the protonation state are accompanied by changes in nuclearity and pyrazolate binding, which cause pronounced changes in color and magnetic properties. Antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper(II) ions is switched on or off depending on the pyrazole binding mode.

Ligand effects on NiII-catalysed alkane-hydroxylation with m-CPBA

Nickel(ii) complexes supported by a series of pyridylalkylamine ligands [tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA; complexes and ), tris[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]amine (TEPA; complexes and ), 6-[N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-2,4-di-tert-butylphenol ((Dtbp)Pym2H; complexes and ), 6-[N,N-bis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]aminomethyl]-2,4-di-tert-butylphenol ((Dtbp)Pye2H; complexes and ), N-benzyl-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ((Bz)Pym2; complex ) and N-benzyl-bis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]amine ((Bz)Pye2; complex )] have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis [coordinating counter anion (co-ligand) of complexes n (n = 1-6) is AcO(-) and that of complexes n (n = 1-4) is NO(3)(-)]. All complexes, except , were obtained as a mononuclear nickel(ii) complex exhibiting a distorted octahedral geometry, whereas complex was isolated as a dinuclear nickel(ii) complex bridged by two nitrate anions. Catalytic activity of the nickel(ii) complexes were examined in the oxidation of cyclohexane with m-CPBA as an oxidant. In all cases, the oxygenation reaction proceeded catalytically to give cyclohexanol as the major product together with cyclohexanone as the minor product. The complexes containing the pyridylmethylamine (Pym) metal-binding group (, , ) showed higher turnover number (TON) than those containing the pyridylethylamine (Pye) metal-binding group (, , ), whereas the alcohol/ketone (A/K) selectivity was much higher with the latter (Pye system) than the former (Pym system). On the other hand, the existence of the NO(3)(-) co-ligand (, and ) caused a lag phase in the early stage of the catalytic reaction. Electronic and steric effects of the supporting ligands as well as the chemical behavior of the co-ligands on the catalytic activity of the nickel(ii) complexes have been discussed on the basis of their X-ray structures.

Dioxygen Reactivity of a Copper(I) Complex with a N3S Thioether Chelate; Peroxo−Dicopper(II) Formation Including Sulfur-Ligation

Employing a tetradentate N3S(thioether) ligand, LN3S, dioxygen reactivity of a copper(I) complex, [(LN3S)CuI]+ (1) was examined. In CH2Cl2, acetone (at -80 degrees C), or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (at -128 degrees C), 1 reacts with O2 producing the end-on bound peroxodicopper(II) complex [{(LN3S)CuII}2(mu-1,2-O2(2-))]2+ (2), the first reported copper-dioxygen adduct with sulfur (thioether) ligation. Its absorption spectrum contains an additional low-energy feature (but not a Cu-S CT band) compared to the previously well-characterized N4 ligand complex, [{(TMPA)CuII}2(mu-1,2-O2(2-))]2+ (3) (TMPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine). Resonance Raman spectroscopy confirms the peroxo formulation {nu(O-O) = 817 cm-1 (16-18O2 Delta = 46 cm-1) and nu(Cu-O) = 545 cm-1 (16-18O2 Delta = 26 cm-1), in close analogy to that known for 3 {nu(O-O) = 827 cm-1 and nu(Cu-O) = 561 cm-1}. Direct evidence for thioether ligation comes from EXAFS spectroscopy {Cu K-edge; Cu-S = 2.4 A}.

Copper−Dioxygen Adducts and the Side-on Peroxo Dicopper(II)/Bis(μ-oxo) Dicopper(III) Equilibrium: Significant Ligand Electronic Effects

The variation of ligand para substituents on pyridyl donor groups of tridentate amine copper(I) complexes was carried out in order to probe electronic effects on the equilibrium between mu-eta2:eta2-(side-on)-peroxo [Cu(II)2(O2(2-))]2+ and bis(mu-oxo) [Cu(III)2(O(2-))2] species formed upon reaction with O2. [Cu(I)(R-PYAN)(MeCN)n]B(C6F5)4 (R-PYAN = N-[2-(4-R-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-N,N',N'-trimethyl-propane-1,3-diamine, R = NMe2, OMe, H, and Cl) (1R) vary over a narrow range in their Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potentials (E(1/2) vs Fe(cp)2(+/0) = -0.40 V for 1(NMe2), -0.38 V for 1(OMe), -0.33 V for 1H, and -0.32 V for 1Cl) and in C-O stretching frequencies of their carbonyl adducts, 1R-CO: nu(C-O) = 2080, 2086, 2088, and 2090 cm(-1) for R = NMe2, OMe, H, and Cl, respectively. However, within this range of electronic properties for 1R, dioxygen reactivity is significantly affected. The reaction of 1Cl or 1H with O2 at -78 degrees C in CH2Cl2 gives UV-vis and resonance Raman spectra indicative of a mu-eta2:eta2-(side-on)-peroxo dicopper(II) adduct (2R). Compound 1(OMe) reacts with O2, yielding equilibrium mixtures of side-on peroxo (2(OMe)) and bis(mu-oxo) (3(OMe)) species. Oxygenation of 1(NMe2) leads to the sole generation of the bis(mu-oxo) dicopper(III) complex (3(NMe2)). A solvent effect was also observed; in acetone or THF, increased ratios of bis(mu-oxo) relative to side-on peroxo complex are observed. Thus, the equilibrium between a dicopper side-on peroxo and bis(mu-oxo) species can be tuned by ligand design-specifically, more electron donating ligands favor the formation of the latter isomer, and the peroxo/bis(mu-oxo) equilibrium can be shifted from one extreme to the other within the same ligand system. Observations concerning the reactivity of the dioxygen adducts 2H and 3(NMe2) toward external substrates are also presented.

Evidence for Cu−O2 Intermediates in Superoxide Oxidations by Biomimetic Copper(II) Complexes

The mechanism by which [Cu(II)(L)](OTf)2 and [Cu(II)N3(L)](OTf) (L = TEPA: tris(2-pyridylethyl)amine or TMPA: tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine; OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) react with superoxide (O2*-) to form [Cu(I)(L)](OTf) and O2 is described. Evidence for a CuO2 intermediate is presented based on stopped-flow experiments and competitive oxygen (18O) kinetic isotope effects on the bimolecular reactions of (16,16)O2*- and (18,16)O2*- ((16,16)k/(18,16)k). The (16,16)k/(18,16)k fall within a narrow range from 0.9836 +/- 0.0043 to 0.9886 +/- 0.0078 for reactions of copper(II) complexes with different coordination geometries and redox potentials that span a 0.67 V range. The results are inconsistent with a mechanism that involves either rate-determining O2*- binding or one-step electron transfer. Rather a mechanism involving formation of a CuO2 intermediate prior to the loss of O2 in the rate-determining step is proposed. Calculations of similar inverse isotope effects, using stretching frequencies of CuO2 adducts generated from copper(I) complexes and O2, suggest that the intermediate has a superoxo structure. The use of 18O isotope effects to relate activated oxygen intermediates in enzymes to those derived from inorganic compounds is discussed.

Isomeric Molecular Rectangles Resulting from Self-Assembly of Dicopper Complexes of Macrocyclic Ligands

Dinuclear copper complexes containing hexaazacyclophane macrocyclic ligands react with the disodium salt of terephthalic acid resulting in the self-assembly of rectangular molecules with the general formula [(Cu2L)2(p-(O2CC6H4CO2)2)]X4, where X = CF3SO3 and ClO4 (3X4, L = Me2p and 4X4, L = Me2m). Tetranuclear complexes 3(CF3SO3)4 (as polymorphs 3a and 3b) and 4(ClO4)4 have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis providing definitive proof of their structure as well as their metrical parameters. 3a contains, in its unit cell, two isomeric cationic units (3asyn and 3aanti) that differ in the relative position of the two O carboxylate atoms which bind to the Cu atoms of the different macrocyclic complexes, leading to boxes with different metrical parameters. ESI-MS analyses of solutions of the tetranuclear complexes 3(CF3SO3)4 and 4(CF3SO3)4 exhibit cluster ions which match the solid state formulation, thus demonstrating that the cages are retained in solution.

Rhodium, palladium and platinum complexes of tris(pyridylalkyl)amine and tris(benzimidazolylmethyl)amine N4-tripodal ligands

To investigate the influence of a potentially N4-tripodal amine ligand on the structure and internal exchange processes of its complexes with late transition metals, five rhodium, six palladium and two platinum complexes have been prepared from seven alkyl-bridged N-heterocyclic amine tripodal ligands: tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, (2-(2-pyridylethyl))bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, bis(2-(2-pyridylethyl))-2-pyridylmethylamine, bis(2-(2-pyridylethyl))amine, ((6-(hydroxymethyl)-2-pyridyl)methyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, tris(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine (tbima) and tris(3-ethyl-2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies were completed for ten complexes: the d6-rhodium(III) complexes are octahedral with kappa 4 N-bound ligands, whereas the d8-palladium(II) and d8-platinum(II) complexes are square planar, kappa 3 N-bound by the tripodal ligand with a dangling N-donor leg, except for the unusual [Pd2(tbima)2Cl2]Cl2 dimer in which each palladium(II) ion is square planar and bound by two benzimidazole legs from one tbima ligand, one leg from the other tbima ligand and a chloride ancillary ligand. Cation bilayers are a common structural motif in the crystal structures. Variable-temperature 1H NMR studies reveal exchange occurs between the coordinated and dangling N-donor legs in the palladium and platinum complexes. Exchange free energy (Delta G++ c) values have been calculated and some general rules governing the favoured complex structures and exchange pathways elucidated. The palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of a ligand with an pyridylethyl leg are unstable with respect to elimination of vinylpyridine.

Chelate Ring Size Variations and Their Effects on Coordination Chemistry and Catechol Dioxygenase Reactivity of Iron(III) Complexes

The catechol dioxygenase reactivity of iron(III) complexes using tripodal ligands was investigated. Increasing, as well as decreasing, chelate ring sizes in the highly active complex [Fe(tmpa)(dbc)]B(C6H5)4 (tmpa = tris[(2-pyridyl)methyl]amine; dbc = 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate dianion), using related ligands, only resulted in decreased reactivity of the investigated compounds. A detailed low-temperature stopped-flow investigation of the reaction of dioxygen with [Fe(tmpa)(dbc)]B(C6H5)4 was performed, and activation parameters of DeltaH++ = 23 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS++ = -199 +/- 4 J mol(-1) K(-1) were obtained. Crystal structures of bromo-(tetrachlorocatecholato-O,O')(bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)-2-pyridylamine-N,N',N'')-iron(III), (mu-oxo)-bis(bromo)(bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)-2-pyridylamine-N,N',N' ',N''')-diiron(III), dichloro-((2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine-N,N',N' ',N''')-iron(III) and (tetrachlorocatecholato-O,O')((2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine-N,N',N' ',N''')-iron(III) are reported.

Copper(II) Mediated Anion Dependent Formation of Schiff Base Complexes

A tetranuclear mixed ligand copper(II) complex of a pyrazole containing Schiff base and a hydroxyhexahydropyrimidylpyrazole and copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of the Schiff base having N-donor atoms have been investigated. A 2 equiv amount of 5-methyl-3-formylpyrazole (MPA) and 2 equiv of 1,3-diamino-2-propanol (1,3-DAP) on reaction with 1 equiv of copper(II) nitrate produce an unusual tetranuclear mixed ligand complex [Cu4(L1)2(L2)2(NO3)2] (1), where H2L1 = 1,3-bis(5-methyl-3-formylpyrazolylmethinimino)propane-2-ol and HL2 = 5-methyl-3-(5-hydroxyhexahydro-2-pyrimidyl)pyrazole. In contrast, a similar reaction with nickel(II) nitrate leads to the formation of a hygroscopic intractable material. On the other hand, the reaction involving 2 equiv of MPA and 1 equiv each of 1,3-DAP and various copper(II) salts gives rise to two types of products, viz. [Cu(T3-porphyrinogen)(H2O)]X2 (X = ClO4, NO3, BF4 (2)) (T3-porphyrinogen = 1,6,11,16-tetraza-5,10,15,20-tetrahydroxy-2,7,12,17-tetramethylporphyrinogen) and [Cu(H2L1)X]X x H2O (X = Cl (3), Br (4)). The same reaction carried out with nickel(II) salts also produces two types of compounds [Ni(H2L1)(H2O)2]X2 [X = ClO4 (5), NO3 (6), BF4 (7)] and [Ni(H2L1)X2] x H2O [X = Cl (8), Br (9)]. Among the above species 1, 3, and 5 are crystallographically characterized. In 1, all four copper atoms are in distorted square pyramidal geometry with N4O chromophore around two terminal copper atoms and N5 chromophore around two inner copper atoms. In 3, the copper atom is also in distorted square pyramidal geometry with N4Cl chromophore. The nickel atom in 5 is in a distorted octahedral geometry with N4O2 chromophore, where the metal atom is slightly pulled toward one of the axial coordinated water molecules. Variable-temperature (300 to 2 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements have been carried out for complex 1. The separations between the metal centers, viz., Cu(1)...Cu(2), Cu(2)...Cu(2)A, and Cu(2)A...Cu(1)A are 3.858, 3.89, and 3.858 A, respectively. The overall magnetic behavior is consistent with strong antiferromagnetic interactions between the spin centers. The exchange coupling constants between Cu(1)...Cu(2) and Cu(2)...Cu(2A) centers have turned out to be -305.3 and -400.7 cm(-1), respectively, resulting in a S = 1/2 ground state. The complexes are further characterized by UV-vis, IR, electron paramagnetic resonance, and electrochemical studies.

Cobalt(III) Carbonate and Bicarbonate Chelate Complexes of Tripodal Tetraamine Ligands Containing Pyridyl Donors: The Steric Basis for the Stability of Chelated Bicarbonate Complexes

The synthesis and characterization (X-ray crystallography, UV/vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, ESI-MS, and (1)H, (13)C, and (59)Co NMR) of the complexes [Co(L)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4)xH(2)O (L = tpa (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) (x = 1), pmea (pmea = bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)-2-((2-pyridyl)ethyl)amine) (x = 0), pmap (pmap = bis(2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) (x = 0), tepa (tepa = tris(2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)amine) (x = 0)) which contain tripodal tetradentate pyridyl ligands and chelated carbonate ligands are reported. The complexes display different colors in both the solid state and solution, which can be rationalized in terms of the different ligand fields exerted by the tripodal ligands. Electrochemical data show that [Co(tepa)(O(2)CO)](+) is the easiest of the four complexes to reduce, and the variation in E(red.) values across the series of complexes can also be explained in terms of the different ligand fields exerted by the tripodal ligands, as can the (59)Co NMR data which show a chemical shift range of over 2000 ppm for the four complexes. [Co(pmea)(O(2)CO)](+) is fluxional in aqueous solution, and VT NMR spectroscopy ((1)H and (13)C) in DMF-d(7) (DMF = dimethylformamide) over the temperature range -25.0 to 75.0 degrees C are consistent with inversion of the unique six-membered chelate ring. This process shows a substantial activation barrier (DeltaG(#) = 58 kJ mol(-1)). The crystal structures of [Co(tpa)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4)xH(2)O, [Co(pmea)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4).3H(2)O, [Co(pmap)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4), and [Co(tepa)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4) are reported, and the complexes containing the asymmetric tripodal ligands pmea and pmap both crystallize as the 6-isomer. The carbonate complexes all show remarkable stability in 6 M HCl solution, with [Co(pmap)(O(2)CO)](+) showing essentially no change in its UV/vis spectrum over 4 h in this medium. The chelated bicarbonate complexes [Co(pmea)(O(2)COH)]ZnCl(4), [Co(pmap)(O(2)COH)][Co(pmap)(O(2)CO)](ClO(4))(3), [Co(pmap)(O(2)COH)]ZnCl(4)xH(2)O, and [Co(pmap(O(2)COH)]ZnBr(4)x2H(2)O can be isolated from acidic aqueous solution, and the crystal structure of [Co(pmap)(O(2)COH)]ZnCl(4)x3H(2)O is reported. The stability of the carbonate complexes in acid is explained by analysis of the crystallographic data for these, and other slow to hydrolyze chelated carbonate complexes, which show that the endo (coordinated) oxygen atoms are significantly hindered by atoms on the ancillary ligands, in contrast to complexes such as [Co(L)(O(2)CO)](+) (L = (NH(3))(4), (en)(2), tren, and nta), which undergo rapid acid hydrolysis and which show no such steric hindrance.

Steric and hydrogen-bonding effects on the stability of copper complexes with small molecules

A series of the copper(II) complexes with tripodal tetradentate tris(pyridyl 2-methyl)amine-based ligands possessing the hydrogen-bonding 6-aminopyridine units (tapa, three amino groups; bapa, two amino groups; mapa, one amino group) have been synthesized, and their copper(II) complexes with a small molecule such as dioxygen and azide have been studied spectroscopically and structurally. The reaction of their Cu(II) complexes with NaN(3) have given the mononuclear copper complexes with azide in an end-on mode, [Cu(tapa)(N(3))]ClO(4) (1a), [Cu(bapa)(N(3))]ClO(4) (2a), [Cu(mapa)(N(3))]ClO(4) (3a), and [Cu(tpa)(N(3))]ClO(4) (4a) (tpa, no amino group). The crystal structures have revealed that the coordination geometries around the metal centers are almost a trigonal-bipyramidal rather than a square-planar except for 1a with an intermediate between them. The UV-vis and ESR spectral data indicate that the increase of NH(2) groups of ligands causes the structural change from trigonal-bipyramidal to square-pyramidal geometry, which is regulated by a combination of steric repulsion and hydrogen bond. The steric repulsion of amino groups with the azide nitrogen gives rise to elongation of the Cu-N(py) bonds, which leads to the positive shift of the redox potentials of the complexes. The hydrogen bonds between the coordinated azide and amino nitrogens (2.84-3.05 A) contribute clearly to the fixation of azide. The Cu(I) complexes with bapa and mapa ligands have been obtained as a precipitate, although that with tapa was not isolated. The reactions of the Cu(I) complexes with dioxygen in MeOH at -75 degrees C have given the trans-micro-1,2 peroxo dinuclear Cu(II) complexes formulated as [((tapa)Cu)(2)(O(2))](2+) (1c), [((bapa)Cu)(2)(O(2))](2+) (2c), and [((mapa)Cu)(2)(O(2))](2+) (3c), whose characterizations were confirmed by UV-vis, ESR, and resonance Raman spectroscopies. UV-vis spectra of 1c, 2c, and 3c exhibited intense bands assignable to pi(O(2)(2)(-))-to-d(Cu) charge transfer (CT) transitions at lambda(max)/nm (epsilon/M(-1)cm(-1)) = 449 (4620), 474 (6860), and 500 (9680), respectively. The series of the peroxo adducts generated was ESR silent. The resonance Raman spectra exhibited the enhanced features assignable to two stretching vibrations nu((16)O-(16)O/(18)O-(18)O)/cm(-1) and nu(Cu-(16)O/Cu-(18)O)/cm(-1) at 853/807 (1c), 858/812 (2c), 847/800 (3c), and at 547/522 (2c), 544/518 (3c), respectively. The thermal stability of the peroxo-copper species has increased with increase in the number of the hydrogen-bonding interactions between the peroxide and amino groups.

Synthesis, characterization, and X-ray crystal structures of cyclam derivatives. 5. Copper(II) binding studies of a pyridine-strapped 5,12-dioxocyclam-based macrobicycle

The copper(II) binding properties of the macrobicyclic diamide 1,9,12,18,22-pentaazatricyclo[7.6.6.1(3,7)]docosa-3,5,7(22)-triene-13,19-dione (L1) have been fully investigated by spectroscopic (IR, UV-vis, EPR, MALDI-TOF MS), X-ray diffraction, potentiometric, electrochemical, and spectroelectrochemical methods. This constrained receptor possesses a hemispherical cavity created by cross-bridging the 1 and 8 positions of trans-dioxocyclam (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-5,12-dione, L2) with a 2,6-pyridyl strap. Treatment of L1 with a copper salt in methanol produces a red complex of [Cu(L1H(-1))]+ formula in which the copper atom is embedded in a 13-membered ring and coordinated by both amines as well as the pyridine and one deprotonated amide nitrogen atoms. Infrared spectroscopy provides evidence for protonation of the carbonyl oxygen atom belonging to the copper-bound amide of [Cu(L1H(-1))]+ under strongly acidic conditions. The resulting conversion of the amidate into an iminol group highlights the inert character of the corresponding complexes, which do not dissociate at low pH values. In contrast, both secondary amides of L1 deprotonate in the presence of a weak base, thus affording a blue pentacoordinated [Cu(L1H(-2))] compound where the copper atom sits in the center of the 14-membered dioxocyclam fragment. In aqueous solution, both complexes undergo a pH-driven (pK(a) = 8.73(2)) molecular reorganization, which is reminiscent of a glider motion. The copper(II) cation switches rapidly and reversibly from a four-coordinate flattened tetrahedral arrangement of the donor atoms in the red species to a five-coordinate environment in the blue species, which is intermediate between a square pyramid and a trigonal bipyramid. Conversion of the red to the blue form was also demonstrated to occur upon reduction of [Cu(L1H(-1))]+ by cyclic voltammetry (E(pc) = -0.64 V/SCE in CH(3)CN).

Dinuclear copper-dioxygen intermediates supported by polyamine ligands

Reactivity of the dicopper(I) and dicopper(II) complexes supported by novel polyamine ligands L1 (1,11-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2,6,10-triaza-2,6,10-tribenzylundecane) and L2 (5-benzyl-1,9-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2,8-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-ylmethyl)-2,5,8-triazanonane) towards O(2) and H(2)O(2), respectively, has been investigated in order to shed light on the ligand effects on Cu(2)/O(2) chemistry. The dicopper(I) complex of L1 (1a) readily reacted with O(2) in a 2:1 ratio at a low temperature (-94 degrees C) in acetone to afford a mixture of (mu-eta2.eta2-peroxo)dicopper(II) and bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) complexes. The formation of these species has been confirmed by the electron spin resonance (ESR) silence of the solution as well as their characteristic absorption bands in the UV-visible region (gammamax= 350 and 510 nm due to the peroxo complex and approximately 400 nm due to the bis(mu-oxo) complex] and the resonance Raman bands at 729 cm(-1) [Deltanu (16(O2)-18(O2)) = 38 cm(-1)] due to the peroxo complex and at 611 and 571 cm(-1) [Deltanu(16(O2)-18(O2)) = 22 and 7 cm(-1), respectively] due to the bis(mu-oxo) complex. The peroxo and bis(mu-oxo) complexes were unstable even at the low temperature, leading to oxidative N-dealkylation at the ligand framework. The dicopper(I) complex of L2 (2a) also reacted with O(2) to give (mu-hydroxo)dicopper(II) complex (2b(OH)) as the product. In this case, however, no active oxygen intermediate was detected even at the low temperature (-94 degrees C). With respect to the copper(II) complexes, treatment of the (mu-hydroxo)dicopper(II) complex of L1 (1b(OH)) with an equimolar amount of H(2)O(2) in acetone at -80 degrees C efficiently gave a (mu-1,1-hydroperoxo)dicopper(II) complex, the formation of which has been supported by its ESR-silence as well as UV-vis (370 and 650 nm) and resonance Raman spectra [881 cm(-1); [Deltanu (16(O2)-18(O2)) = 49 cm(-1)]. The (mu-1,1-hydroperoxo)dicopper(II) intermediate of L1 also decomposed slowly at the low temperature to give similar oxidative N-dealkylation products. Kinetic studies on the oxidative N-dealkylation reactions have been performed to provide insight into the reactivity of the active oxygen intermediates.

Oxygen binding and activation by the complexes of PY2- and TPA-appended diphenylglycoluril receptors with copper and other metals

The copper(I) complexes of diphenylglycoluril basket receptors and , appended with bis(2-ethylpyridine)amine (PY2) and tris(2-methylpyridine)amine (TPA), respectively, and their dioxygen adducts were studied with low-temperature UV-vis and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The copper(I) complex of, [.Cu(I)2] or, forms a micro-eta2:eta2 dioxygen complex, whereas the copper(I) complex of, [.Cu(I)2] or, does not form a well defined dioxygen complex, but is oxidized to Cu(II). Dioxygen is bound irreversibly to and the formed complex is stable over time. The coordination geometries of the above complexes were determined by XAS, which revealed that pyridyl groups and amine N-donors participate in the coordination to Cu(I) ions in the complexes of both receptors. The catalytic activities of various metal complexes of and , that were designed as mimics of dinuclear copper enzymes that can activate dioxygen, were investigated. Phenolic substrates that were expected to undergo aromatic hydroxylation, showed oxidative polymerization without insertion of oxygen. The mechanism of this polymerization turns out to be a radical coupling reaction as was established by experiments with the model substrate 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol. In addition to Cu(II), the Mn(III) complex of and the Fe(II) complex of were tested as oxidation catalysts. Oxidation of catechol was observed for the Cu(II) complex of receptor but the other metal complexes did not lead to oxidation.

Carbon−Halogen Bond Activation Mechanism by Copper(I) Complexes of (2-Pyridyl)alkylamine Ligands

The reaction of p-substituted benzyl halides ((Y)BnX; X = Cl, Br, and I; Y = p-substituent, OMe, t-Bu, Me, H, F, Cl, and NO(2)) and copper(I) complexes supported by a series of (2-pyridyl)alkylamine ligands has been investigated to shed light on the mechanism of copper(I) complex mediated carbon-halogen bond activation, including ligand effects on the redox reactivity of copper(I) complexes which are relevant to the chemistry. For both the tridentate ligand (Phe)L(Pym2) [N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-phenylethylamine] and tetradentate ligand TMPA [tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] complexes, the C-C coupling reaction of benzyl halides proceeded smoothly to give corresponding 1,2-diphenylethane derivatives and copper(II)-halide complex products. Kinetic analysis revealed that the reaction obeys second-order kinetics both on the copper complex and the substrate; rate = k[Cu](2)[(Y)BnX](2). A reaction mechanism involving a dinuclear copper(III)-halide organometallic intermediate is proposed, on the basis of the kinetic results, including observed electronic effects of p-substituents (Hammett plot) and the rate dependence on the BDE (bond dissociation energy) of the C-X bond, as well as the ligand effects.

Binuclear Copper(II) Oxidation Products from Copper(I) Complexes with Tridentate Ligands. Magnetostructural Characterization

The bis-pyridine tridentate ligands (6-R-2-pyridylmethyl)-(2-pyridylmethyl) benzylamine (RDPMA, where R = CH(3), CF(3)), (6-R-2-pyridylmethyl)-(2-pyridylethyl) benzylamine (RPMPEA, where R = CH(3), CF(3)), and the bidentate ligand di-benzyl-(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (BiBzMePMA) have been synthesized and their copper(I) complexes oxidized in a methanol solution to afford self-assembled bis-micro-methoxo-binuclear copper(II) complexes (1, 2, 4, 6) or hydroxo- binuclear copper(II) complexes (3). Oxidation of the nonsubstituted DPMA (R = H) in dichloromethane gives a chloride-bridged complex (5). The crystal structures for [Cu(MeDPMA)(MeO)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (1), [Cu(RPMPEA)(MeO)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (for 2, R= Me, and for 4, R = CF(3)), [Cu(BiBzMePMA)(MeO)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (6), [Cu(FDPMA)(OH)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (3), and [Cu(DPMA)(Cl)](2)(ClO(4))(2) (5) have been determined, and their variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility has been measured in the temperature range of 10-300 K. The copper coordination geometries are best described as square pyramidal, except for 6, which is square planar, because of the lack of one pyridine ring in the bidentate ligand. In 1-4 and 6, the basal plane is formed by two pyridine N atoms and two O atoms from the bridging methoxo or hydroxo groups, whereas in 5, the bridging Cl atoms occupy axial-equatorial sites. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the Cu atoms are strongly coupled antiferromagnetically in the bis-methoxo complexes 1, 2, 4, and 6, with -2J > 600 cm(-)(1), whereas for the hydroxo complex 3, -2J = 195 cm(-)(1) and the chloride-bridged complex 5 shows a weak ferromagnetic coupling, with 2J = 21 cm(-)(1) (2J is an indicator of the magnetic interaction between the Cu centers).

Mono-, Bi-, and Trinuclear CuII-Cl Containing Products Based on the Tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine Chelate Derived from Copper(I) Complex Dechlorination Reactions of Chloroform

The ligand TMPA (tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) and its copper complexes have played a prominent role in recent (bio)inorganic chemistry studies; the copper(I) complex [CuI(TMPA)(CH3CN)]+ possesses an extensive dioxygen reactivity, and it is also known to effect the reductive dechlorination of substrates such as dichloromethane and benzyl and allyl chlorides. In this report, we describe a set of new analogues of TMPA, ligand 6TMPAOH, binucleating Iso-DO, and trinucleating SYMM. Copper(I) complexes with these ligands and a previously described binucleating ligand DO react with chloroform, resulting in reductive dechlorination and production of [CuIIx(L)Clx]x+ (x = 1, 2, or 3). X-ray crystal structures of [CuII(6TMPAOH)Cl]PF6, [CuII2(Iso-DO)Cl2](PF6)2, [CuII2(DO)Cl2](PF6)2, and [Cu3(SYMM)Cl3](PF6)3 are presented, and the compounds are also characterized by UV-vis and EPR spectroscopies as well as cyclic voltammetry. The steric influence of a pyridyl 6-substituent (in the complexes with 6TMPAOH, Iso-DO, and SYMM) on the solid state and solution structures and redox potentials are compared and contrasted to those chlorocopper(II) complexes with a pyridyl 5'-substituent (in [CuII2(DO)Cl2](PF6)2 and in [CuII(TMPA)Cl]+). Some insights into the reductive dechlorination process have been obtained by using 2H NMR spectroscopy in following the reaction of [Cu2(Iso-DO)(CH3CN)2](PF6)2 with CDCl3, in the presence or absence of a radical trap, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol.

NMR studies of mononuclear octahedral Ni(II) complexes supported by tris((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine-type ligands

The recent discovery of acireductone dioxygenase (ARD), a metalloenzyme containing a mononuclear octahedral Ni(II) center, necessitates the development of model systems for evaluating the role of the metal center in substrate oxidation chemistry. In this work, three Ni(II) complexes of an aryl-appended tris((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine ligand (6-Ph(2)TPA, N,N-bis((6-phenyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Ni(CH(3)CN)(CH(3)OH)](ClO(4))(2) (1), [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Ni(ONHC(O)CH(3))]ClO(4) (3), and [(6-Ph(2)TPA)Ni-Cl(CH(3)CN)]ClO(4) (4), and one Ni(II) complex of tris((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine, [(TPA)Ni(CH(3)CN)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) (2), have been characterized in acetonitrile solution using conductance methods and NMR spectroscopy. In acetonitrile solution, 1-4 have monomeric cations that exhibit isotropically shifted (1)H NMR resonances. Full assignment of these resonances was achieved using one- and two-dimensional (1)H NMR techniques and (2)H NMR of analogues having deuteration of the supporting chelate ligand. COSY cross peaks were observed for pyridyl protons of the 6-Ph(2)TPA ligand in 1 and 3. This study lays the groundwork for using NMR methods to examine chemical reactions of 1 and 2 with model substrates of relevance to ARD.

A thiazole-containing tripodal ligand: synthesis, characterization, and interactions with metal ions and matrix metalloproteinases

A new tripodal ligand, tris[2-(((2-thiazolyl)methylidene)amino)ethyl]amine (Tatren), has been synthesized and characterized by NMR, IR, and UV-visible absorbance spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Tatren forms stable complexes with transition metal ions (Zn(2+), 1; Mn(2+), 2; Co(2+), 3) and the alkaline earth metal ions (Ca(2+), 4; Mg(2+), 5). Single-crystal X-ray structures of 1, 2, and 5 revealed six-coordinate chelate complexes with formula [M(Tatren)](ClO(4))(2) in which the metal centers are coordinated by three thiazolyl N atoms and three acyclic imine N atoms. Crystals of 1, 2, and 5 are monoclinic, P2(1)/c space group. Crystals of 4 are triclinic, P space group. The Ca(2+) complex is eight-coordinate with all N atoms of Tatren and one water molecule coordinated to the metal ion. Spectrophotometric titrations show that formation constants for the chelates of metal ions are >>1 in methanol. Free Tatren inhibits the catalytic domain of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13, collagenase-3) with K(i) = 3.5 +/- 0.6 microM. Molecular mechanics-based docking calculations suggest that one leg of Tatren coordinates to the catalytic Zn(2+) in MMPs-2, -9, and -13 with significant hydrogen bonding to backbone amide groups. High-level DFT calculations suggest that, in the absence of nonbonded interactions between Tatren and the enzyme, the most stable first coordination sphere of the catalytic Zn(2+) is achieved with three imidazolyl groups from His residues and two imine N atoms from one leg of Tatren. While complexes (1-3) do not inhibit MMP-13 to a significant extent, 4 does (K(i) = 30 +/- 10 microM). Hence, this study shows that tripodal chelating ligands of this class and their Ca(2+) complexes have potential as active-site inhibitors for MMPs.

Ligand Effect on Reversible Conversion between Copper(I) and Bis(μ-oxo)dicopper(III) Complex with a Sterically Hindered Tetradentate Tripodal Ligand and Monooxygenase Activity of Bis(μ-oxo)dicopper(III) Complex

A new sterically hindered tetradentate tripodal ligand (Me2-etpy) and its labeled analogue having deuterated methylene groups (d4-Me2-etpy) were synthesized, where Me2-etpy is bis(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)(2-pyridylethyl)amine. Copper(I) complexes [Cu(Me2-etpy or d4-Me2-etpy)]+ (1 and 1-d4, respectively) reacted with dioxygen at -80 degrees C in acetone to give bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) complexes [Cu2(O)2(Me2-etpy or d4-Me2-etpy)2](2+) (1-oxo and 1-d4-oxo, respectively), the latter of which was crystallographically characterized. Unlike a bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) complex with a closely related Me2-tpa ligand having a 2-pyridylmethyl pendant, 1-oxo possessing a 2-pyridylethyl pendant is not fully formed even under 1 atm of O2 at -80 degrees C and is very reactive toward the oxidation of the supporting ligand. Thermal decomposition of 1-oxo gave an N-dealkylated ligand in yield approximately 80% based on a dimer and a corresponding aldehyde. The deuterated ligand d4-Me2-etpy greatly stabilizes the bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) complex 1-d4-oxo, indicating that the rate determining step of the N-dealkylation is the C-H bond cleavage from the methylene group. The reversible conversion between 1-d4 and 1-d4-oxo in acetone is dependent on the temperature, and the thermodynamic parameters (DeltaH and DeltaS) of the equilibrium were determined to be -53 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1) and -187 +/- 10 J mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. The effect of the 2-pyridylethyl pendant in comparison with the 2-pyridylmethyl and 6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl pendants on the physicochemical properties of the copper(I) and bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) species is discussed.

Structures and Redox Reactivities of Copper Complexes of (2-Pyridyl)alkylamine Ligands. Effects of the Alkyl Linker Chain Length

Ligand effects on the structures and redox reactivities of copper complexes have been examined using (2-pyridyl)alkylamine derivatives as the supporting ligands, where particular attention has been focused on the effects of the alkyl linker chain length connecting the tertiary amine nitrogen atom and the pyridine nucleus: N[bond]CH(2)[bond]Py (Pym) vs N[bond]CH(2)CH(2)[bond]Py (Pye). X-ray crystallographic analysis of the copper(I) complex of tridentate ligand (Phe)L(Pym2) [N,N-di(2-pyridylmethyl)-2-phenylethylamine] (complex 1) has demonstrated that it possesses a trigonal pyramidal geometry in which a d[bond]pi interaction with an eta(1)-binding mode exists between the metal ion and one of the ortho carbons of the phenyl ring of the ligand side arm (phenethyl). The result shows sharp contrast to the d[bond]pi interaction with an eta(2)-binding mode existing in the copper(I) complex of (Phe)L(Pye2) [N,N-di[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-2-phenethylamine] (complex 2). Such a d-pi interaction has been shown to affect the stability of the copper(I) complex in CH(2)Cl(2). Oxygenation of copper(I) complex 1 supported by (Phe)L(Pym2) produces a bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) complex, also being in sharp contrast to the case of the copper(I) complex 2 with ligand (Phe)L(Pye2), which preferentially affords a (micro-eta(2):eta(2)-peroxo)dicopper(II) complex in the reaction with O(2). Such an effect of the alkyl linker chain length of the metal binding site has also been found to operate in the RSSR (disulfide)/2RS(-) (thiolate) redox system. Namely, ligand (S2,R)L(Pym1) (di[2-[(alkyl)(2-pyridinylmethyl)amino]ethyl] disulfide) with the methylene linker group (Pym) induced the reductive disulfide bond cleavage in the reaction with copper(I) ion to give a bis(micro-thiolato)dicopper(II) complex, while the ligand with the ethylene linker group (Pye), (S2,Bn)L(Pye1) (di[2-[(benzyl)(2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl)amino]ethyl] disulfide), gave a disulfide-dicopper(I) complex. These ligand effects in the Cu(2)[bond]O(2) and Cu(2)[bond]S(2) systems have been discussed by taking into account the difference in electron-donor ability of the pyridine nucleus between the Pym and Pye ligand systems.

Bis(mu-oxo)dicopper in Cu-ZSM-5 and its role in the decomposition of NO: a combined in situ XAFS, UV-vis-near-IR, and kinetic study

In situ XAFS combined with UV-vis-near-IR spectroscopy are used to identify the active site in copper-loaded ZSM-5 responsible for the catalytic decomposition of NO. Cu-ZSM-5 was probed with in situ XAFS (i) after O(2) activation and (ii) while catalyzing the direct decomposition of NO into N(2) and O(2). A careful R-space fitting of the Cu K-edge EXAFS data is presented, including the use of different k-weightings and the analysis of the individual coordination shells. For the O(2)-activated overexchanged Cu-ZSM-5 sample a Cu.Cu contribution at 2.87 A with a coordination number of 1 is found. The corresponding UV-vis-near-IR spectrum is characterized by an intense absorption band at 22 700 cm(-1) and a relatively weaker band at 30 000 cm(-1), while no corresponding EPR signal is detected. Comparison of these data with the large databank of well-characterized copper centers in enzymes and synthetic model complexes leads to the identification of the bis(mu-oxo)dicopper core, i.e. [Cu(2)(mu-O)(2)](2+). After dehydration in He, Cu-ZSM-5 shows stable NO decomposition activity and the in situ XAFS data indicate the formation of a large fraction of the bis(mu-oxo)dicopper core during reaction. When the Cu/Al ratio of Cu-ZSM-5 exceeds 0.2, both the bis(mu-oxo)dicopper core is formed and the NO decomposition activity increases sharply. On the basis of the in situ measurements, a reaction cycle is proposed in which the bis(mu-oxo)dicopper core forms the product O(2) on a single active site and realizes the continuous O(2) release and concomitant self-reduction.

MLCT state structure and dynamics of a copper(I) diimine complex characterized by pump-probe X-ray and laser spectroscopies and DFT calculations

The molecular structure and dynamics of the photoexcited metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT) state of [Cu(I)(dmp)(2)](+), where dmp is 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, in acetonitrile have been investigated by time-domain pump-probe X-ray absorption spectroscopy, femtosecond optical transient spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT). The time resolution for the excited state structural determination was 100 ps, provided by single X-ray pulses from a third generation synchrotron source. The copper ion in the thermally equilibrated MLCT state has the same oxidation state as the corresponding copper(II) complex in the ground state and was found to be penta-coordinate with an average nearest neighbor Cu-N distance 0.04 A shorter than that of the ground state [Cu(I)(dmp)(2)](+). The results confirm the previously proposed "exciplex" structure of the MLCT state in Lewis basic solvents. The evolution from the photoexcited Franck-Condon MLCT state to the thermally equilibrated MLCT state was followed by femtosecond optical transient spectroscopy, revealing three time constants of 500-700 fs, 10-20 ps, and 1.6-1.7 ns, likely related to the kinetics for the formation of the triplet MLCT state, structural relaxation, and the MLCT excited-state decay to the ground state, respectively. DFT calculations are used to interpret the spectral shift on structural relaxation and to predict the geometries of the ground state, the tetracoordinate excited state, and the exciplex. The DFT calculations also indicate that the amount of charge transferred from copper to the dmp ligand upon photoexcitation is similar to the charge difference at the copper center between the ground-state copper(I) and copper(II) complexes.

C3v symmetric receptors show high selectivity and high affinity for phosphate

The binding of phosphate to tripodal metalloreceptors 1 and 2 is reported. Receptors 1 and 2 are C3v symmetric, designed to complement three sides of a tetrahedron. The receptors derive from tripodal ligands that are preorganized through binding to a central Cu(II) atom. These metalloreceptors demonstrate high selectivity and affinity for the molecular recognition of phosphate in aqueous media at neutral pH. The binding of phosphate and other anions to the cavities of receptors 1 and 2 was monitored by UV/vis titration techniques. Binding algorithms were used to determine the affinity of phosphate to 1 and 2 with association values (Ka) of 2.5 x 104 and 1.5 x 104 M-1, respectively.

Copper(I)-dioxygen reactivity of [(L)Cu(I)](+) (L = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine): kinetic/thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies concerning the formation of Cu-O2 and Cu2-O2 adducts as a function of solvent medium and 4-pyridyl ligand substituent variations

The kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of O(2)-binding to Cu(I) complexes can provide fundamental understanding of copper(I)/dioxygen chemistry, which is of interest in chemical and biological systems. Here we report stopped-flow kinetic investigations of the oxygenation reactions of a series of tetradentate copper(I) complexes [(L(R))Cu(I)(MeCN)](+) (1(R), R=H, Me, tBu, MeO, Me(2)N) in propionitrile (EtCN), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and acetone. The syntheses of 4-pyridyl substituted tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands (L(R)) and copper(I) complexes are detailed. Variations of ligand electronic properties are manifested in the electrochemistry of 1(R) and nu(CO) of [(L(R))Cu(I)-CO](+) complexes. The kinetic studies in EtCN and THF show that the O(2)-reactions of 1(R) follow the reaction mechanism established for oxygenation of 1(H) in EtCN (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 9506), involving reversible formation (k(1)/k(-1)) of [(L(R))Cu(II)(O(2-))](+) (2(R)), which further reacts (k(2)/k(-2)) with 1(R) to form the 2:1 Cu(2)O(2) complex [[(L(R))Cu(II)](2)(O(2)(2-))](2+) (3(R)). In EtCN, the rate constants for formation of 2(R) (k(1)) are not dramatically affected by the ligand electronic variations. For R = Me and tBu, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are very similar to those of the parent complex (1(H)); e.g., k(1) is in the range 1.2 x 10(4) to 3.1 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 183 K. With the stronger donors R = MeO and Me(2)N, more significant effects were observed, with the expected increase in thermodynamic stability of resultant 2(R) and 3(R) complexes, and decreased dissociation rates. The modest ligand electronic effects manifested in EtCN are due to the competitive binding of solvent and dioxygen to the copper centers. In THF, a weakly coordinating solvent, the formation rate for 2(H) is much faster (>/=100 times) than that in EtCN, and the thermodynamic stabilities of both the 1:1 (K(1)) and 2:1 (beta = K(1)K(2)) copper-dioxygen species are much higher than those in EtCN (e.g., for 2(H), deltaH(o) (K(1))=-41 kJ mol(-1) in THF versus -29.8 kJ mol(-1) in EtCN; for 3(H), deltaH(o) (beta)=-94 kJ mol(-1) in THF versus -77 kJ mol(-1) in EtCN). In addition, a more significant ligand electronic effect is seen for the oxygenation reactions of 1(MeO) in THF compared to that in EtCN; the thermal stability of superoxo- and peroxocopper complexes are considerably enhanced using L(MeO) compared to L(H). In acetone as solvent, a different reaction mechanism involving dimeric copper(I) species [(L(R))(2)Cu(I)(2)](2+) is proposed for the oxygenation reactions, supported by kinetic analyses, electrical conductivity measurements, and variable-temperature NMR spectroscopic studies. The present study is the first systematic study investigating both solvent medium and ligand electronic effects in reactions forming copper-dioxygen adducts.

Reversible binding of dioxygen by the copper(I) complex with tris(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me6tren) ligand

At low temperatures, the mononuclear copper(I) complex of the tetradentate tripodal aliphatic amine Me(6)tren (Me(6)tren = tris(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amine) [Cu(I)(Me(6)tren)(RCN)](+) first reversibly binds dioxygen to form a 1:1 Cu-O(2) species which further reacts reversibly with a second [Cu(I)(Me(6)tren)(RCN)](+) ion to form the dinuclear 2:1 Cu(2)O(2) adduct. The reaction can be observed using low temperature stopped-flow techniques. The copper superoxo complex as well as the peroxo complex were characterized by resonance Raman spectroscopy. The spectral characteristics and full kinetic and thermodynamic results for the reaction of [Cu(I)(Me(6)tren)(RCN)](+) with dioxygen are reported.

Syntheses and characterization of two dioxygen-reactive dinuclear macrocyclic schiff-base copper(I) complexes

The dinuclear copper(I) complex [Cu(2)L(1)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1, L(1) = 3,6,9,17,20,23-hexaazatricyclo[23.3.1.1]triaconta-1(29),2,9,11(30),12(13),14,16,23,25,27-decaene) has been structurally characterized. As previously described, intramolecular ligand hydroxylation (at the aromatic ring) was observed when 1 was reacted with dioxygen. A stopped-flow analysis of the reaction of 1 with dioxygen under different conditions did not allow a "dioxygen intermediate" to be spectroscopically detected. Detailed NMR and electrochemical data on 1 are also presented and evaluated for the first time. No copper(II) complexes of L(1) could be characterized due to hydrolysis of the compounds. In contrast, complex 2-differing from 1 only in an increase in the size of the chelate rings-did not undergo intramolecular hydroxylation when it was oxidized. The crystal structure of 2 is also described.

Structural modulation of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of sterically hindered tripyridine ligands by the bridgehead alkyl groups

Structures of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of sterically hindered tripyridine ligands RL = tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methane (HL), 1,1,1-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)ethane (MeL), and 1,1,1-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)propane (EtL), [Cu(RL)(MeCN)]PF(6) (1-3), [Cu(RL)(SO(4))] (4-6), and [Cu(RL)(NO(3))(2)] (7-9), have been explored in the solid state and in solution to gain some insights into modulation of the copper coordination structures by bridgehead alkyl groups (CH, CMe, and CEt). The crystal structures of 1-9 show that RL binds a copper ion in a tridentate facial-capping mode, except for 3, where EtL chelates in a bidentate mode with two pyridyl nitrogen atoms. To avoid the steric repulsion between the bridgehead alkyl group and the 3-H(py) atoms, the pyridine rings in Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of MeL and EtL shift toward the Cu side as compared to those in Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of HL, leading to the significant differences in the nonbonding interatomic distances, H.H (between the 3-H(py) atoms), N.N (between the N(py) atoms), and C.C (between the 6-Me carbon atoms), the Cu-N(py), Cu-N(MeCN), and Cu-O bond distances, and the tilt of the pyridine rings. The copper coordination geometries in 4-6, where a SO(4) ligand chelates in a bidentate mode, are varied from a square pyramid of 4 to distorted trigonal bipyramids of 5 and 6. Such structural differences are not observed for 7-9, where two NO(3) ligands coordinate in a monodentate mode. The structures of 1-9 in solution are investigated by means of the electronic, (1)H NMR, and ESR spectroscopy. The (1)H NMR spectra show that the structures of 1-3 in the solid state are kept in solution with rapid coordination exchange of the pyridine rings. The electronic and the ESR spectra reveal the structural changes of 5 and 6 in solution. The bridgehead alkyl groups and 6-Me groups in the sterically hindered tripyridine ligand play important roles in modulating the copper coordination structures.