Syntheses, characterization, and reactivity of copper complexes with tridentate N-donor ligands

The reaction of dioxygen with the copper(I) complex of the tridentate ligand 1,1,4,7,7-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (Me5dien) has been investigated using low-temperature stopped-flow techniques. The formation of a bis(μ-oxo)copper(III) complex as a reactive intermediate could be detected spectroscopically at low temperatures and a quantitative kinetic analysis was performed for this system. Crystal structures of the copper(II) complexes [(Me-bpa)Cu(Cl)2] (1), [{(Me-bpa)Cu(Cl)(ClO4)}2] (2), [{(MeL)Cu(Cl)(ClO4)}2] (3), and [(MeL)Cu(NCS)2] (4) (Me-bpa = N-methyl-[bis(2-pyridyl)methyl]amine; MeL = N-methyl-[(2-pyridyl)ethyl(2-pyridyl)methyl]amine) are reported.

Graphical abstractCopper complexes of the tridendate ligands Me5dien, Et5dien, Me-bpa and MeL have been investigated. The kinetics for the formation of the dinuclear bis(μ-oxo) copper complex using Me5dien as a ligand was analyzed using low-temperature stopped-flow instrumentation. Crystal structures for the copper(II) complexes of Me-bpa and MeL are reported.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide