Proton NMR Spectroscopy and Magnetic Properties of a Solution-Stable Dicopper(II) Complex Bearing a Single μ-Hydroxo Bridge

Role of Imidazole and Chelate Ring Size in Copper Oxidation Catalysts: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

In this work, the structural, solution, electrochemical, and catalytic properties of the complexes with ligands derived from imidazole and pyridines were studied. A comparative study of five bioinspired copper catalysts with or without coordinated imidazole and with different chelate ring sizes is presented. Catalytic efficiency on the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (DTBC) and ortho-aminophenol (OAP) in a MeOH/H2O medium was assessed by means of the Michaelis-Menten model. Catalysts comprising imidazole-containing ligands and/or a six-membered chelate ring proved to be more efficient in both oxidation reactions. Determination of stability constants and electrochemical parameters of the copper complexes supported the explanation of the catalytic behavior. A catalytic cycle similar for both reactions has been proposed. The results of density functional theory (DFT) free energy calculations for all five complexes and both catalytic reactions agree with the experimental results.

Mimicking the Cu Active Site of Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenase Using Monoanionic Tridentate N-Donor Ligands

In an effort to prepare small molecule mimics of the active site of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO), three monoanionic tridentate N donor ligands comprising a central deprotonated amide group flanked by two neutral donors were prepared, and their coordination chemistry with Cu(I) and Cu(II) was evaluated. With Cu(I), a dimer formed, which was characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. A variety of mononuclear and dinuclear Cu(II) species with a range of auxiliary ligands (MeCN, Cl^-, OH^-, OAc^-, OBz^-, CO₃ ^2-) were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction and various spectroscopies (UV-vis, EPR). The complexes exhibit structural similarities to the LPMO active site.

A chromophore-supported structural and functional model of dinuclear copper enzymes, for facilitating mechanism of action studies

Type III dicopper centres are the heart of the reactive sites of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of catechols. Numerous synthetic model complexes have been prepared to uncover the fundamental chemistry involved in these processes, but progress is still lagging much behind that for heme enzymes. One reason is that the latter gain very much from the informative spectroscopic features of their porphyrin-based metal-chelating ligand. We now introduce sapphyrin-chelated dicopper complexes and show that they may be isolated in different oxidation states and coordination geometries, with distinctive colors and electronic spectra due to the heme-like ligands. The dicopper(i) complex 1-Cu2 was characterized by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy of the metal-chelating sapphyrin, the oxygenated dicopper(ii) complex 1-Cu2O2 by EPR, and crystallographic data was obtained for the tetracopper(ii)-bis-sapphyrin complex [1-Cu2O2]2. This uncovered a non-heme [Cu₄(OH)₄]⁴⁻ cluster, held together with the aid of two sapphyrin ligands, with structural features reminiscent of those of catechol oxidase. Biomimetic activity was demonstrated by the 1-Cu2O2 catalyzed aerobic oxidation of catechol to quinone; the sapphyrin ligand aided very much in gaining information about reactive intermediates and the rate-limiting step of the reaction.

Di-copper chelation by sapphyrin facilitates reaction mechanism investigations and characterization of reactive intermediates regarding biomimetic catechol oxidation.

Paramagnetic solid-state NMR assignment and novel chemical conversion of the aldehyde group to dihydrogen ortho ester and hemiacetal moieties in copper(ii)- and cobalt(ii)-pyridinecarboxaldehyde complexes

The complex chemical functionalization of aldehyde moieties in Cu(ii)- and Co(ii)-pyridinecarboxaldehyde complexes was studied. X-ray studies demonstrated that the aldehyde group (RCHO) of the four pyridine molecules is converted to dihydrogen ortho ester (RC(OCH₃)(OH)₂) and hemiacetal (RCH(OH)(OCH₃)) moieties in both 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde copper and cobalt complexes. In contrast, the aldehyde group is retained when the 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde ligand is complexed with cobalt. In the different copper complexes, similar paramagnetic ¹H resonance lines were obtained in the solid state; however, the connectivity with the carbon structure and the ¹H vicinities were done with 2D ¹H–¹³C HETCOR, ¹H–¹H SQ/DQ and proton spin diffusion (PSD) experiments. The strong paramagnetic effect exerted by the cobalt center prevented the observation of ¹³C NMR signals and chemical information could only be obtained from X-ray experiments. 2D PSD experiments in the solid state were useful for the proton assignments in both Cu(ii) complexes. The combination of X-ray crystallography experiments with DFT calculations together with the experimental results obtained from EPR and solid-state NMR allowed the assignment of NMR signals in pyridinecarboxaldehyde ligands coordinated with copper ions. In cases where the crystallographic information was not available, as in the case of the 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde Cu(ii) complex, the combination of these techniques allowed not only the assignment of NMR signals but also the study of the functionalization of the substituent group.

The complex chemical functionalization of the aldehyde group was elucidated in copper and cobalt complexes for 4- and 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde ligands.

Organocopper(III) Phenanthriporphyrin-Exocyclic Transformations

5,6-Dimethoxyphenanthriporphyrin 1 and 5,6-dioxophenanthriporphyrin 2 act as suitable organometallic ligands for copper(III), adopting trianionic [CCNN] coordination cores. Under oxidizing conditions, in the presence of methanol, copper(III) phenanthriporphyrin 1-Cu undergoes transformation to copper(III) phenanthriporphodimethene with methoxy substituents attached to two trans meso positions. Addition of acids to 1-Cu yields two isomeric copper(III) isophenanthriporphyrins protonated on one of the meso carbon atoms. Protonation of copper(III) 5,6-dioxophenanthriporphyrin 2-Cu yields the aromatic diprotonated complex 2-Cu-H₂²⁺. In the presence of HBF₄ 2-Cu undergoes borylation at the carbonyl oxygen atoms, forming an aromatic exocyclic boron(III) complex.

Strategic synthesis of [Cu2], [Cu4] and [Cu5] complexes: inhibition and triggering of ligand arm hydrolysis and self-aggregation by chosen ancillary bridges

A new family of Cu^II-based coordination aggregates is synthesized from HL1 with Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O in the absence and presence of a group of carboxylates.

X-Ray Crystallographic Analysis, EPR Studies, and Computational Calculations of a Cu(II) Tetramic Acid Complex

In this work we present a structural and spectroscopic analysis of a copper(II) N-acetyl-5-arylidene tetramic acid by using both experimental and computational techniques. The crystal structure of the Cu(II) complex was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and shows that the copper ion lies on a centre of symmetry, with each ligand ion coordinated to two copper ions, forming a 2D sheet. Moreover, the EPR spectroscopic properties of the Cu(II) tetramic acid complex were also explored and discussed. Finally, a computational approach was performed in order to obtain a detailed and precise insight of product structures and properties. It is hoped that this study can enrich the field of functional supramolecular systems, giving place to the formation of coordination-driven self-assembly architectures.

Induction of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis through oxidative stress in drug-resistant cancer by a newly synthesized Schiff base copper chelate

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer represents a variety of strategies employed by tumor cells to evade the beneficial cytotoxic effects of structurally different anticancer drugs and thus confers impediments to the successful treatment of cancers. Efflux of drugs by MDR protein-1, functional P-glycoprotein and elevated level of reduced glutathione confer resistance to cell death or apoptosis and thus provide a possible therapeutic target for overcoming MDR in cancer. Previously, we reported that a Schiff base ligand, potassium-N-(2-hydroxy 3-methoxy-benzaldehyde)-alaninate (PHMBA) overcomes MDR in both in vivo and in vitro by targeting intrinsic apoptotic/necrotic pathway through induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study describes the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a copper chelate of Schiff base, viz., copper (II)-N-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde)-alaninate (CuPHMBA) and the underlying mechanism of cell death induced by CuPHMBA in vitro. CuPHMBA kills both the drug-resistant and sensitive cell types irrespective of their drug resistance phenotype. The cell death induced by CuPHMBA follows apoptotic pathway and moreover, the cell death is associated with intrinsic mitochondrial and extrinsic receptor-mediated pathways. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the process as proved by the fact that antioxidant enzyme; polyethylene glycol conjugated-catalase completely blocked CuPHMBA-induced ROS generation and abrogated cell death. To summarize, the present work provides a compelling rationale for the future clinical use of CuPHMBA, a redox active copper chelate in the treatment of cancer patients, irrespective of their drug-resistance status.

Central Role of the Copper-Binding Motif in the Complex Mechanism of Action of Ixosin: Enhancing Oxidative Damage and Promoting Synergy with Ixosin B

Ticks transmit multiple pathogens to different hosts without compromising their health. Their ability to evade microbial infections is largely a result of their effective innate immune response including various antimicrobial peptides. Therefore, a deep understanding of how ticks (and other arthropod vectors) control microbial loads could lead to the design of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. In this paper we study the role of the amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN)-binding sequence in the peptide ixosin, isolated from the salivary glands of the hard tick Ixodes sinensis. Our results indicate that the ATCUN motif is not essential to the potency of ixosin, but is indispensable to its oxidative mechanism of action. Specifically, the ATCUN motif promotes dioxygen- and copper-dependent lipid (per)oxidation of bacterial membranes in a temporal fashion coinciding with the onset of bacterial death. Microscopy and studies on model membranes indicate that the oxidized phospholipids are utilized as potential targets of ixosin B (another tick salivary gland peptide) involving its delocalization to the bacterial membrane, thus resulting in a synergistic effect. Our proposed mechanism of action highlights the centrality of the ATCUN motif to ixosin's mechanism of action and demonstrates a novel way in which (tick) antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) utilize metal ions in its activity. This study suggests that ticks employ a variety of effectors to generate an amplified immune response, possibly justifying its vector competence.

Two types of nitrito support for μ4-oxido-bridged [Cu4] complexes: synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic properties and DFT analysis

In situ generated NO₂⁻ and externally added NO₂⁻ and AcO⁻ ions have been utilized for the isolation of μ₄-oxido-bridged Cu₄ aggregates showing magnetic coupling which can be rationalized by DFT calculations.

Structure, magnetism and catecholase activity of the first dicopper(ii) complex having a single μ-alkoxo bridge

Pyridine-2,6-dimethanol shows a neutral, monoanionic and dianionic coordination behaviour with two different coordination modes viz. tridentate and bidentate towards Cu(ii), leading to three different geometric environments around Cu(ii) centers.

Insertion of a hydroxido bridge into a diphenoxido dinuclear copper(II) complex: drastic change of the magnetic property from strong antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic and enhancement in the catecholase activity

A diphenoxido-bridged dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu(2)L(2)(ClO(4))(2)] (1), has been synthesized using a tridentate reduced Schiff base ligand, 2-[[2-(diethylamino)ethylamino]methyl]phenol (HL). The addition of triethylamine to the methanolic solution of this complex produced a novel triple bridged (double phenoxido and single hydroxido) dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu(2)L(2)(OH)]ClO(4) (2). Both complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by X-ray structural analyses, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements, and spectroscopic methods. In 1, the two phenoxido bridges are equatorial-equatorial and the species shows strong antiferromagnetic coupling with J = -615.6(6.1) cm(-1). The inclusion of the equatorial-equatorial hydroxido bridge in 2 changes the Cu···Cu distance from 3.018 Å (avg.) to 2.798 Å (avg.), the positions of the phenoxido bridges to axial-equatorial, and the magnetic coupling to ferromagnetic with J = 50.1(1.4) cm(-1). Using 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol as the substrate, the catecholase activity of the complexes has been studied in a methanol solution; compound 2 shows higher catecholase activity (k(cat) = 233.4 h(-1)) than compound 1 (k(cat) = 93.6 h(-1)). Both complexes generate identical species in solution, and they are interconvertible simply by changing the pH of their solutions. The higher catecholase activity of 2 seems to be due to the presence of the OH group, which increases the pH of its solution.

Reactivity of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of a β-aminohydrazone ligand with pyridine-2-aldehyde: macrocyclization vs unprecedented pyrazole ring synthesis via C-C bond-forming reaction

The synthesis and characterization of a mononuclear nickel(II) complex [Ni(L(2))](ClO(4))(2) (1) and an analogous mononuclear copper(II) complex [Cu(L(2))](ClO(4))(2) (2) of a 15-membered azamacrocycle (L(2) = 3-(2-pyridyl)-6,8,8,13,13,15-hexamethyl-1,2,4,5,9,12-hexaazacyclopentadeca-5,15-diene) are reported. The macrocyclic ligand is formed during the reaction of 4,4,9,9-tetramethyl-5,8-diazadodecane-2,11-dione dihydrazone (L(1)) with pyridine-2-aldehyde (PyCHO) templated by metal ions. The X-ray crystal structure of 1 exhibits a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry, where the metal ion sits in the macrocyclic cavity and the pendant pyridine group of L(2) occupies the axial position. While 1 is stable in the presence of an excess of PyCHO, 2 reacts further with copper(II) salt and PyCHO to form a mononuclear copper(I) complex, [Cu(H(2)L(3))](ClO(4))(3) (3). The structure of the complex cation of 3 reveals a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry at the copper center with a pseudo 2-fold screw axis. A two-dimensional (2D) polymeric copper(II) complex, {[Cu(2)(L(4))(2)](ClO(4))(2)}(n) (4) is obtained by reacting complex 2 (or [Ni(L(1))](ClO(4))(2)) with copper(II) perchlorate and pyridine-2-aldehyde in a methanol-water solvent mixture. Complex 4 is also obtained by treating 3 with copper(II) perchlorate and pyridine-2-aldehyde in the presence of a base. The X-ray structural analysis of 4 confirms the formation of a pyrazolate bridged dimeric copper(II) complex. The extended structure in the solid state of 4 revealed the formation of a 2D coordination polymer with the dimeric core as the repeating unit. The ligand (HL(4)) in 4 is a 3,4,5-trisubstituted pyrazole ring formed in situ via C-C bond formation and represents an unprecedented transformation reaction.

A Dissymmetric, Singly Phenoxido-Bridged Cu∥ Dinuclear Coordination Compound: Synthesis, Characterisation, Magnetic and Computational Study

A singly phenoxido-bridged dinuclear Cu∥ complex, [Cu2(L)2(SCN)2(H2O)], has been obtained from a Schiff-base ligand (2-[{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]imino}methyl]-6-methoxyphenol), generated by condensation of o-vanillin with N,N-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine. The Cu(II) complex has been fully characterised by analytical, spectroscopic, magnetic susceptibility and EPR measurements and DFT calculations, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It consists of two geometrically distinct square-pyramidal and octahedral copper(II) centres, exhibiting N2O3 and N4O2 donor sets. In the dimeric unit, the copper atoms are connected by a μ2-phenolato oxygen atom, belonging to one bridging Schiff-base ligand. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the Cu(II) centres, with a 2 J value of −89(1) cm−1.

Heme-copper-dioxygen complexes: toward understanding ligand-environmental effects on the coordination geometry, electronic structure, and reactivity

The nature of the ligand is an important aspect of controlling the structure and reactivity in coordination chemistry. In connection with our study of heme-copper-oxygen reactivity relevant to cytochrome c oxidase dioxygen-reduction chemistry, we compare the molecular and electronic structures of two high-spin heme-peroxo-copper [Fe(III)O(2)(2-)Cu(II)](+) complexes containing N(4) tetradentate (1) or N(3) tridentate (2) copper ligands. Combining previously reported and new resonance Raman and EXAFS data coupled to density functional theory calculations, we report a geometric structure and more complete electronic description of the high-spin heme-peroxo-copper complexes 1 and 2, which establish mu-(O(2)(2-)) side-on to the Fe(III) and end-on to Cu(II) (mu-eta(2):eta(1)) binding for the complex 1 but side-on/side-on (mu-eta(2):eta(2)) mu-peroxo coordination for the complex 2. We also compare and summarize the differences and similarities of these two complexes in their reactivity toward CO, PPh(3), acid, and phenols. The comparison of a new X-ray structure of mu-oxo complex 2a with the previously reported 1a X-ray structure, two thermal decomposition products respectively of 2 and 1, reveals a considerable difference in the Fe-O-Cu angle between the two mu-oxo complexes ( angleFe-O-Cu = 178.2 degrees in 1a and angleFe-O-Cu = 149.5 degrees in 2a). The reaction of 2 with 1 equiv of an exogenous nitrogen-donor axial base leads to the formation of a distinctive low-temperature-stable, low-spin heme-dioxygen-copper complex (2b), but under the same conditions, the addition of an axial base to 1 leads to the dissociation of the heme-peroxo-copper assembly and the release of O(2). 2b reacts with phenols performing H-atom (e(-) + H(+)) abstraction resulting in O-O bond cleavage and the formation of high-valent ferryl [Fe(IV)=O] complex (2c). The nature of 2c was confirmed by a comparison of its spectroscopic features and reactivity with those of an independently prepared ferryl complex. The phenoxyl radical generated by the H-atom abstraction was either (1) directly detected by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy using phenols that produce stable radicals or (2) indirectly detected by the coupling product of two phenoxyl radicals.

Copper(ii) complexes of a polydentate imidazole-based ligand. pH effect on magnetic coupling and catecholase activity

A potentially dodecadentate N8O4-donor ligand obtained from 2,2'-biimidazole and l-valine and its tetranuclear Cu(ii) complexes in different degrees of protonation were characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The extensive solution studies performed reveal that the rise in pH media leads successively to the formation of imidazolato (pKa(1) and pKa(2) and hydroxido (pKa(3) and pKa(4)) bridges. A frozen solution EPR study shows a decrease in the signal intensity until an EPR silent spectrum is observed, upon increasing the basicity of the solution. The catalytic performance of the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to its corresponding quinone was studied using UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopic methods in CH3CN-H2O and in CH3OH-H2O at pH = 7.5, 8.0 and 8.5. A marked increase in activity, consistent with the formation of the hydroxide bridged species, is observed at pH = 8.5 in both solvent mixtures, but the activity is significantly higher in CH3OH-H2O.

A pyrazolate-supported Fe(3)(mu(3)-O) core: structural, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and magnetic study

A comparison is made between the structural, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and magnetic properties of pyrazolate versus carboxylate complexes [Fe3(mu3(mu3O)(mu-LL)6Cl3]2- containing the Fe3(mu3-O)-motif. While the Fe3(mu3-O)-cores are structurally indistinguishable in the two types of complexes, their magnetic properties deviate from the expected values as a result of a through-pyrazole contribution to the overall antiferromagnetic exchange with J1/hc = -80.1 cm(-1) and J2/hc = -72.4 cm(-1), or J1/hc = 70.6 cm(-1) and J2/hc = -80.8 cm(-1), (Hex = -J1(S1S2 + S2S3) - J2S1S3). The magnetic properties of the pyrazolate complexes are further tuned by an antisymmetric exchange interaction term.

Near-Infrared Absorbing Ligand-Oxidized Dinuclear Phthalocyanines

Ligand-oxidized annulated dinuclear phthalocyanine zinc(II) and lithium(I) complexes absorbing in the NIR region (lambda=1000-2200 nm) with high extinction coefficients are described. Analogous mononuclear Pc complexes were used for comparison. The oxidized Pcs were characterized in solution by electronic absorption, EPR and NMR spectra. The NIR transitions were explained by using MO diagrams calculated semiempirically. The reversible oxidation behavior of the phthalocyanine complexes was also estimated by cyclic voltammetry. These new extremely long wavelength absorbing phthalocyanines are interesting as materials with new electronic properties.

Catecholase Activity of a Copper(II) Complex with a Macrocyclic Ligand: Unraveling Catalytic Mechanisms

We report the structure, properties and a mechanism for the catecholase activity of a tetranuclear carbonato-bridged copper(II) cluster with the macrocyclic ligand [22]pr4pz (9,22-dipropyl-1,4,9,14,17,22,27,28,29, 30-decaazapentacyclo[22.2.1.1(4,7).1(11,14). 1(17,20)]triacontane-5,7(28),11(29),12,18, 20(30),24(27),25-octaene). In this complex, two copper ions within a macrocyclic unit are bridged by a carbonate anion, which further connects two macrocyclic units together. Magnetic susceptibility studies have shown the existence of a ferromagnetic interaction between the two copper ions within one macrocyclic ring, and a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the two neighboring copper ions of two different macrocyclic units. The tetranuclear complex was found to be the major compound present in solution at high concentration levels, but its dissociation into two dinuclear units occurs upon dilution. The dinuclear complex catalyzes the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to the respective quinone in methanol by two different pathways, one proceeding via the formation of semiquinone species with the subsequent production of dihydrogen peroxide as a byproduct, and another proceeding via the two-electron reduction of the dicopper(II) center by the substrate, with two molecules of quinone and one molecule of water generated per one catalytic cycle. The occurrence of the first pathway was, however, found to cease shortly after the beginning of the catalytic reaction. The influence of hydrogen peroxide and di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone on the catalytic mechanism has been investigated. The crystal structures of the free ligand and the reduced dicopper(I) complex, as well as the electrochemical properties of both the Cu(II) and the Cu(I) complexes are also reported.

Multinuclear copper complexes of pyridylmethylamide ligands

Copper complexes of a family of pyridylmethylamide ligands HL(Ph), HL(Me3) and HL(Ph3) were synthesized and characterized [HL(Ph) = 2-phenyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide; HL(Me3) = 2,2-dimethyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)propionamide; HL(Ph3) = 2,2,2-triphenyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide]. The reaction of copper(II) salts with the HL family and triethylamine in methanol yields copper(II) complexes [Cu4(L(Ph))4(OH)2](ClO4)2 (1), [Cu2(HL(Me3))2(OMe)2(MeOH)2](OTf)2 (2) and [Cu2(HL(Ph3))2(OMe)2(MeOH)2](OTf)2 (3). The complexes have different nuclearity owing to varying steric properties of the ligands used. Complex 1 self-assembles in the presence of excess base to form a tetranuclear complex. Complexes 2 and 3 are binuclear and are bridged by a pair of methoxide ligands. Steric encumbrance of the ligands in 2 and 3 prevent cluster formation.

Catecholase activity of a μ-hydroxodicopper(II) macrocyclic complex: structures, intermediates and reaction mechanism

The monohydroxo-bridged dicopper(II) complex (1), its reduced dicopper(I) analogue (2) and the trans-mu-1,2-peroxo-dicopper(II) adduct (3) with the macrocyclic N-donor ligand [22]py4pz (9,22-bis(pyridin-2'-ylmethyl)-1,4,9,14,17,22,27,28,29,30- decaazapentacyclo -[22.2.1(14,7).1(11,14).1(17,20)]triacontane-5,7(28),11(29),12,18,20(30), 24(27),25-octaene), have been prepared and characterized, including a 3D structure of 1 and 2. These compounds represent models of the three states of the catechol oxidase active site: met, deoxy (reduced) and oxy. The dicopper(II) complex 1 catalyzes the oxidation of catechol model substrates in aerobic conditions, while in the absence of dioxygen a stoichiometric oxidation takes place, leading to the formation of quinone and the respective dicopper(I) complex. The catalytic reaction follows a Michaelis-Menten behavior. The dicopper(I) complex binds molecular dioxygen at low temperature, forming a trans-mu-1,2-peroxo-dicopper adduct, which was characterized by UV-Vis and resonance Raman spectroscopy and electrochemically. This peroxo complex stoichiometrically oxidizes a second molecule of catechol in the absence of dioxygen. A catalytic mechanism of catechol oxidation by 1 has been proposed, and its relevance to the mechanisms earlier proposed for the natural enzyme and other copper complexes is discussed.

Ligand Conformation Enforces Trigonal Bipyramidal Coordination Geometry in a New Dinuclear Bis(pyrazolato)-Bridged Copper(II) Complex: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Properties of [Cu(Npy2pz)]2(ClO4)2·2CH3CN

The reaction of Cu(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O with the new tripodal ligand HNpy(2)pz (N-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl][1H-pyrazol-3-yl)methyl]amine) in the presence of 1 equiv of triethylamine results in the formation of a doubly pyrazolato-bridged dicopper(II) complex, [Cu(Npy(2)pz)](2)(ClO(4))(2).2CH(3)CN (1). The crystal structure of 1 was determined by X-ray crystallography and was found to consist of two nearly identical discrete dinuclear molecules with bis(pyrazolato) bridges. The copper(II) ion has a trigonal bipyramid geometry achieved by the coordination of an aliphatic nitrogen, two pyridine moieties, and two pyrazolato nitrogens. Variable temperature-dependent magnetic data show that antiferromagnetic interactions operate in 1 as a result of the binding angle of the pyrazolato bridge. In solution, the stability of the dinuclear cation, [Cu(py(2)pz)](2)(2+), is highly dependent on the concentration, as indicated by ESI-MS, ligand field, cyclic voltammetry, EPR, and (1)H NMR studies.