A theoretical study on the ESPT mechanism for a novel Bis‐HPBT fluorophore

In this work, based on the density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, the properties of the 2 intramolecular hydrogen bonds (O1‐H2···N3 and O4‐H5···N6) of a new photochemical sensor 4‐(3‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐5‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxybenzyl)‐2‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐6‐tert‐butyl phenol (Bis‐HPBT) have been investigated in detail. The calculated dominating bond lengths and bond angles about these 2 hydrogen bonds (O1‐H2···N3 and O4‐H5···N6) demonstrate that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds should be strengthened in the S₁ state. In addition, the variations of hydrogen bonds of Bis‐HPBT have been also testified based on infrared vibrational spectra. Our theoretical results reproduced absorption and emission spectra of the experiment, which verifies that the theoretical level we used is reasonable and effective in this work. Further, hydrogen bonding strengthening manifests the tendency of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. Frontier molecular orbitals depict the nature of electronically excited state and support the ESIPT reaction. According to the calculated results of potential energy curves along stepwise and synergetic O1‐H2 and O4‐H5 coordinates, the potential energy barrier of approximately 1.399 kcal/mol is discovered in the S₁ state, which supports the single ESIPT process along with 1 hydrogen bond of Bis‐HPBT. In other words, the proton transfer reaction can be facilitated based on the electronic excitation effectively. In turn, through the process of radiative transition, the proton‐transfer Bis‐HPBT‐SPT form regresses to the ground state with the fluorescence of 539 nm.     

Mechanistic study on silver(I)‐catalyzed aminofluorination of unactivated alkenes

A study has been performed on the mechanism for the Ag(I)‐catalyzed intramolecular aminofluorination of N‐arylpent‐4‐enamides with Selectfluor by means of density functional theory. According to the calculations, the whole catalytic cycle consists of a series of elementary reactions, including formation of the complex ( IMC ) of the substrate and Ag(H₂O)⁺ (derived from the ligation of H₂O to Ag(I)), oxidation of the complex IMC by Selectfluor, deprotonation, homolytic cleavage of the N–Ag(II) bond, intramolecular radical cyclization, and fluorine abstraction. It is suggested that the oxidation of the complex IMC should be the rate‐determining step and that the intramolecular radical cyclization determines the regioselectivity of the reaction. Different from that in the decarboxylative fluorination, herein, the deprotonation of the amide is initiated by Ag(II) rather than Ag(I).     

Spectroscopic Characterization of Oxime Ligands and Their Complexes

New imine–oxime ligands H₃L¹–H₃L³ have been obtained from reactions of the Schiff base ligands H₂B¹–H₂B³ with monochloroglyoxime. Mononuclear copper(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), vanadyl(IV) and zinc(II) complexes of the imine–oxime ligands H₃L¹–H₃L³ have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared and electronic spectra, magnetic moment and molar conductance data. The molar conductance data show that the complexes are non‐electrolytes. When the imine–oxime ligands react with the metal salts in a 2:1 ratio, they behave as dibasic bidentate ligands towards one metal ion. The nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes are diamagnetic. The ¹H(¹³C)‐nmr spectra of all ligands and nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of the ligands H₃L¹–H₃L³ have been recorded. Mass spectra of the imine–oxime ligands and their nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes were recorded. Some of the ligands and metal complexes have antibacterial activity.     

Sulphur dioxide insertion into tin―carbon bonds: solvent effects and the nature of the transition state

Data describing the insertion of sulphur dioxide into the carbon―tin bond of a range of substituted phenyltrimethyltin compounds in methanol and benzene solvents have been reconsidered. The reaction in methanol is cleanly second order, but the reaction in benzene has both a second‐order and third‐order component, the latter ascribable to an initial equilibrium formation of a SO₂ complex with the phenyl ring followed by the insertion of a second SO₂ molecule into the carbon–tin bond. Molecular orbital calculations have identified the transition states (TS) and the favoured reaction pathways for the second‐order and third‐order reaction pathways in benzene. The effects of solvents on TS and enthalpies of reaction have also been examined. New insights into the types of TS involved in electrophilic substitution reactions are revealed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical studies on structure and performance of [1,2,5]‐oxadiazolo‐[3,4‐d]‐pyridazine‐based derivatives

Based on energetic compound [1,2,5]‐oxadiazolo‐[3,4‐d]‐pyridazine, a series of functionalized derivatives were designed and first reported. Afterwards, the relationship between their structure and performance was systematically explored by density functional theory at B3LYP/6‐311 g (d, p) level. Results show that the bond dissociation energies of the weakest bond (N–O bond) vary from 157.530 to 189.411 kJ · mol^?1. The bond dissociation energies of these compounds are superior to that of HMX (N–NO_2, 154.905 kJ · mol^?1). In addition, H1, H2, H4, I2, I3, C1, C2, and D1 possess high density (1.818–1.997 g · cm^?3) and good detonation performance (detonation velocities, 8.29–9.46 km · s^?1; detonation pressures, 30.87–42.12 GPa), which may be potential explosives compared with RDX (8.81 km · s^?1, 34.47 GPa ) and HMX (9.19 km · s^?1, 38.45 GPa). Finally, allowing for the explosive performance and molecular stability, three compounds may be suggested as good potential candidates for high‐energy density materials. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A detailed DFT/TDDFT study on excited‐state intramolecular hydrogen bonding dynamics and proton‐transfer mechanism of 2‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]oxazol‐2‐yl‐phenol

In this present work, using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we theoretically study the excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics and the excited state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of a new 2‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]oxazol‐2‐yl‐phenol (2PYP) system. Via exploring the reduced density gradient versus sign(λ₂(r))ρ(r), we affirm that the intramolecular hydrogen bond O1‐H2?N3 is formed in the ground state. Based on photoexcitation, comparing bond lengths, bond angles, and infrared vibrational spectra involved in hydrogen bond, we confirm that the hydrogen bond O1‐H2?N3 of 2PYP should be strengthened in the S₁ state. Analyses about frontier molecular orbitals prove that charge redistribution of 2PYP facilitates excited state intramolecular proton transfer process. Via constructing potential energy curves and searching transition state structure, we clarify the excited state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism of 2PYP in detail, which may make contributions for the applications of such kinds of system in future.     

Isomerization and rearrangement of (E)‐ and (Z)‐phenylhydrazones of 3‐benzoyl‐5‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole: evidence for a ‘new’ type of acid‐catalysis by copper(II) salts in mononuclear rearrangement of heterocycles

A kinetic investigation in methanol of the title reaction has evidenced the occurrence of two processes: the 1‐ E 1‐ Z isomerization and the rearrangement of the (Z)‐isomer into the relevant 4‐benzoylamino‐2,5‐diphenyl‐1,2,3‐triazole ( 1‐ Z → T ). The latter reaction is in line with the ability of the (Z)‐phenylhydrazones of 3‐benzoyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazoles to undergo the so called mononuclear rearrangement of heterocycles (MRH). The occurrence of both the examined reactions is dependent on a Lewis‐acid‐catalysis. The obtained results have shown the possibility of a ‘new’ type of acid‐catalysis (bifunctional catalysis by Lewis salts) in the MRH. This catalysis operates through a completely different mechanism with respect to the one recently observed, and deeply investigated, in the presence of protic acids for the (Z)‐phenylhydrazone of 5‐amino‐3‐benzoyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole, in both dioxane/water and toluene, for which the catalytic process was dependent on the protonation of N(4) ring‐nitrogen of the 1,2,4‐oxadiazole. As a matter of fact, the copper salts seem able to interact with the >C?N? NH? C₆H₅ moiety, yielding adducts which, in some cases, are prone to both isomerize and rearrange. Therefore, a similar behaviour in some manner parallel to that already observed in benzene in the presence of aliphatic amines (base‐catalysis) has been evidenced. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic and Conductance Studies of New Transition Metal Complexes with a Schiff Base Derived from 4‐Methoxybenzaldehyde and 1,2‐bis(p‐Aminophenoxy)ethane

Four new metal complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(III) with Schiff base derived from 4‐methoxybenzaldehyde and 1,2‐bis(p‐aminophenoxy)ethane have been prepared and characterized by magnetic susceptibility, conductance measurements, elemental analyses, UV–Vis, ¹H NMR and IR spectra studies. The magnetic and spectroscopic data indicate an octahedral geometry for the six‐coordinate complexes. The ligand was used for complexation studies. Stability constants were measured by means of a conductometric method. Furthermore, the stability constants for complexation between ZnCl₂, Cu(NO₃)₂ and AgNO₃ salts and ligand (L) in 80% dioxane–water and pure methanol were determined from conductance measurements. In 80% dioxane–water, he stability constants (log Ke) increase inversely with the crystal radii in the order Ag(I) < Zn(II) < Cu(II).     

Elaborating the excited state behavior of 2‐(4′‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐imidazo[4,5‐c]pyridine coupling with methanol solvent

We present a theoretical investigation about the excited state dynamical mechanism of 2‐(4′‐N,N‐dimethylaminophenyl)‐imidazo[4,5‐c]pyridine (DMAPIP‐c). Within the framework of density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we reasonably repeat the experimental electronic spectra, which further confirm the theoretical level used in this work is feasible. Given the best complex model, 3 methanol (MeOH) solvent molecules should be connected with DMAPIP‐c forming DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH complex in both ground state and excited state. Exploring the changes about bond lengths and bond angles involved in hydrogen bond wires, we find the O7‐H8···N9 one should be largely strengthened in the S₁ state, which plays an important role in facilitating the excited state intermolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. In addition, the analyses about infrared vibrational spectra also confirm this conclusion. The redistribution about charges distinguished via frontier molecular orbitals based on the photoexcitation, we do find tendency of ESIPT reaction due to the most charges located around N9 atom in the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. Based on constructing the potential energy curves of both S₀ and S₁ states, we not only confirm that the ESIPT process should firstly occur along with hydrogen bond wire O7‐H8···N9, but also find a low potential energy barrier 8.898 kcal/mol supports the ESIPT reaction in the S₁ state forming DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH‐PT configuration. Subsequently, DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH‐PT could twist its dimethylamino moiety with a lower barrier 3.475 kcal/mol forming DMAPIP‐c‐MeOH‐PT‐TICT structure. Our work not only successfully explains previous experimental work but also paves the way for the further applications about DMAPIP‐c sensor in future.     

Time‐dependent density functional theory study on the excited‐state hydrogen bonding strengthening of photoexcited 4‐amino‐1,8‐naphthalimide in hydrogen‐donating solvents

The time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method was performed to investigate the excited‐state hydrogen bonding dynamics of 4‐amino‐1,8‐naphthalimide (4ANI) as hydrogen bond acceptor in hydrogen donating methanol (MeOH) solvent. The ground‐state geometry optimizations, electronic transition energies and corresponding oscillation strengths of the low‐lying electronically excited states for the isolated 4ANi and hydrogen‐bonded 4ANi‐(MeOH)_1,4 complexes were calculated by the DFT and TDDFT methods, respectively. We demonstrated that the intermolecular hydrogen bond C═O···H–O and N–H···O–H in the hydrogen‐bonded 4ANi‐(MeOH)_1,4 is strengthened in the electronically excited state, because the electronic excitation energies of the hydrogen‐bonded complex are correspondingly decreased compared with that of the isolated 4ANi. The calculated results are consistent with the mechanism of the hydrogen bond strengthening in the electronically excited state, while contrast with mechanism of hydrogen bond cleavage. Furthermore, we believe that the transient hydrogen bond strengthening behavior in electronically excited state of fluorescent dye in hydrogen‐donating solvents exists in many other systems in solution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural Chemistry of Some Imidazole Complexes

Synthesis of benzimidazole and 4 (Imidazole 1-yl) acetophenone complexes derived from cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), palladium(II) and platinum(IV) salts were carried out. The elemental analyses suggest the formation of 1:2 and 1:4 stoichiometries (M:L). Electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements are used to infer the structures. The i.r. spectra of the ligands and their complexes are used to identify the type of bonding. Thermal analysis and electrical conductivity measurements were investigated in the temperature range 30–250°C. The results indicate slight semiconducting properties.     

Easily attainable new approach to mass yield ferrocenyl Schiff base and different metal complexes of ferrocenyl Schiff base through convenient ultrasonication‐solvothermal method

A new alternative approach with crucial mass yield and high reaction rates is proposed for the synthesis of ferrocenyl Schiff bases using an ultrasonication‐solvothermal method. Equimolar condensation of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde and 2‐aminophenol interact with each other, giving 1‐(1‐[2‐hydroxyphenyl‐2‐imino]methyl)‐ferrocene (FcOH). Furthermore, this ligand forms 1:1 complexes with cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and palladium(II) ions. From the different spectral data, it is found that metal ions coordinate with ligands through the azomethine group and the deprotonated oxygen of the phenol groups. Moreover, FcOH and their complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, and UV‐visible spectrophotometry. The spectral data of FcOH and its metal complexes were discussed in connection with the structural changes due to complexation. Meanwhile, the information about geometric structures can be concluded from the electronic spectra and the magnetic moments. Plainly, electron spin resonance spectra of the Cu(II) complex revealed d_x2?y2 as a ground state, suggesting a square planar geometry around the Cu(II) center. The direct optical band gap energy E_g values of cobalt, nickel, copper, and palladium complexes of FcOH are found to be 3.7, 3.9, 4.6, and 3.65 eV, respectively. 1‐(1‐[2‐Hydroxyphenyl‐2‐imino]methyl)‐ferrocene and its metal complexes were screened for antibacterial activity. The results depict that the metal complexes were found to be more strongly antibacterial than the guardian Schiff base ligand (FcOH) against one or more bacterial species. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of antimicrobial properties of the purified compound were determined using the broth microdilution method.     

Kinetics study of a Diels‐Alder reaction in mixtures of an ionic liquid with molecular solvents

The second‐order rate constants for cycloaddition reaction of cyclopentadiene with naphthoquinone were determined spectrophotometrically in various compositions of 1‐(1‐butyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium terafluoroborate ([bmim]BF₄) with water and methanol at 25 °C. Rate constants of the reaction in pure solvents are in the order of water > [bmim]BF₄ > methanol. Rate constants of the reaction decrease sharply with mole fraction of the ionic liquid in aqueous solutions and increase slightly to a maximum in alcoholic mixtures. Multi‐parameter correlation of logk₂ versus solute–solvent interaction parameters demonstrated that solvophobicity parameter (Sp), hydrogen‐bond donor acidity (α) and hydrogen‐bond acceptor basicity (β) of media are the main factors influencing the reaction rate constant. The proposed three‐parameter model shows that the reaction rate constant increases with Sp, α and β parameters. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Homo‐Diels–Alder reaction of a very inactive diene,bicyclo[2,2,1]hepta‐2,5‐diene,with the most active dienophile, 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐3,5‐dione. Solvent,temperature, and high pressure influence on the reaction rate

Solvent, temperature, and high pressure influence on the rate constant of homo‐Diels–Alder cycloaddition reactions of the very active hetero‐dienophile, 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐3,5‐dione (1), with the very inactive unconjugated diene, bicyclo[2,2,1]hepta‐2,5‐diene (2), and of 1 with some substituted anthracenes have been studied. The rate constants change amounts to about seven orders of magnitude: from 3.95^.10^?3 for reaction (1+2) to 12200 L mol^?1 s^?1 for reaction of 1 with 9,10‐dimethylanthracene (4e) in toluene solution at 298 K. A comparison of the reactivity (ln k₂) and the heat of reactions (?_r‐nH) of maleic anhydride, tetracyanoethylene and of 1 with several dienes has been performed. The heat of reaction (1+2) is ?218 ± 2 kJ mol^?1, of 1 with 9,10‐dimethylanthracene ?117.8 ± 0.7 kJ mol^?1, and of 1 with 9,10‐dimethoxyanthracene ?91.6 ±0.2 kJ mol^?1. From these data, it follows that the exothermicity of reaction (1+2) is higher than that with 1,3‐butadiene. However, the heat of reaction of 9,10‐dimethylanthracene with 1 (?117.8 kJ mol^?1) is nearly the same as that found for the reaction with the structural C=C counterpart, N‐phenylmaleimide (?117.0 kJ mol^?1). Since the energy of the N=N bond is considerably lower (418 kJ/bond) than that of the C=C bond (611 kJ/bond), it was proposed that this difference in the bond energy can generate a lower barrier of activation in the Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction with 1. Linear correlation (R = 0.94) of the solvent effect on the rate constants of reaction (1+2) and on the heat of solution of 1 has been observed. The ratio of the volume of activation (?V^≠) and the volume of reaction (?V_r‐n) of the homo‐Diels–Alder reaction (1+2) is considered as “normal”: ?V^≠/?V_r‐n = ?25.1/?30.95 = 0.81. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and structural study of 2′‐ and 2′,6′‐positioned methyl‐ and nitro‐substituted 3‐(arylhydrazono)pentane‐2,4‐diones

A systematic series of ortho‐methyl‐ and nitro‐substituted arylhydrazones 2–6 formed by Japp–Klingemann reaction between pentane‐2,4‐dione and the respective aryldiazonium salts have been synthesized and studied by X‐ray crystal structure analysis, with added quantum chemical calculations. The optimized molecular geometries based on DFT calculations, enabling determination of relevant rotational barriers, and the calculated bond and ring critical points, using the method of ‘atoms in molecules’, were found to correspond with the experimental data, involving specific molecular conformations and hydrogen‐bonded ring structure dependent on the ortho‐substitution, thus making possible reliable structural prediction of this compound class. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of benzo‐annelation on intermolecular hydrogen bond and proton transfer of 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolone in methanol: A TD‐DFT study

Excited‐state intermolecular or intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction has important potential applications in biological probes. In this paper, the effect of benzo‐annelation on intermolecular hydrogen bond and proton transfer reaction of the 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐quinolone (MQ) dye in methanol solvent is investigated by the density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory approaches. Both the primary structure parameters and infrared vibrational spectra analysis of MQ and its benzo‐analogue 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxy‐4(1H)‐benzo‐quinolone (MBQ) show that the intermolecular hydrogen bond O₁―H₂?O₃ significantly strengthens in the excited state, whereas another intermolecular hydrogen bond O₃―H₄?O₅ weakens slightly. Simulated electron absorption and fluorescence spectra are agreement with the experimental data. The noncovalent interaction analysis displays that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of MQ are obviously stronger than that of MBQ. Additionally, the energy profile analysis via the proton transfer reaction pathway illustrates that the ESIPT reaction of MBQ is relatively harder than that of MQ. Therefore, the effect of benzo‐annelation of the MQ dye weakens the intermolecular hydrogen bond and relatively inhibits the proton transfer reaction.     

Vibrational spectroscopic and force field studies of copper(II) chloride and bromide compounds,and crystal structure of KCuBr3

Vibrational spectroscopic and force field studies have been performed of 15 related copper(II) chloride and copper(II) bromide compounds, including hydrated salts crystallizing in ternary aqueous systems with alkali and ammonium halides. For halocuprates with distorted octahedral coordination characteristic stretching Raman wavenumbers, corresponding to symmetric stretching Cu^II X modes in the equatorial plane, were found in the ranges 247–288 cm⁻¹ for X = Cl, and 173–189 cm⁻¹ for X = Br, while the low‐wavenumber stretching modes for the weaker axial Cu X interactions varied considerably. The tetrahedral coordination for Cs₂CuCl₄ and Cs₂CuBr₄ leads to somewhat lower Cu X symmetric stretching wavenumbers, 295 and 173 cm⁻¹, respectively. The assignments of the copper–ligand stretching vibrations were performed with the aid of normal coordinate calculations. Correlations between force constants, averaged Cu X stretching wavenumbers and bond distances have been evaluated considering the following aspects: (1) Jahn–Teller tetragonal distortion (axial elongation) of the octahedral copper(II) coordination environment, (2) differences between terminal and bridging halide ligands (3) effects of coordinated water and the influence of outer‐sphere cations. Force constant ratios for terminal and bridging metal–halide bonds reveal characteristic differences between planar and tetrahedrally coordinated M₂X₆ species. In the hydrated copper(II) halide complexes, the halide ligands are more strongly bound than coordinated water molecules. The crystal structure of KCuBr₃ (K₂Cu₂Br₆), which was determined to provide structural information for the force field analyses, contains stacks of planar dimeric [Cu₂Br₆]²⁻ complexes held together by weak axial Cu Br interactions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dramatic solvent and concentration dependence in the reaction of (anthracen‐9‐yl)methanamines with suitable electron‐deficient acetylenes

Herein, we describe diverse reactivity of (anthracen‐9‐yl)methanamines with a few electron‐deficient acetylenes. Depending on the solvent and concentration, (anthracen‐9‐yl)methanamines reacted with acetylenes through one electron transfer, two electron transfer, or Diels–Alder pathways; and under certain conditions, we observed multiple reaction pathways. We have proposed plausible mechanisms to account for various reactions observed by us. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dinuclear Zn(II) catalysts as biomimics of RNA and DNA phosphoryl transfer enzymes: changing the medium from water to alcohol provides enzyme‐like rate enhancements

Phosphodiesters are notoriously hydrolytically inert compounds that are demonstrated to have large accelerations of P‐OR cleavage promoted by transition and lanthanide metal ions in methanol and ethanol media. This review commentary describes recent findings of how a simple mononuclear and a dinuclear Zn(II) complex promote the cleavage of a series of RNA models and DNA models in alcohol media. The discussion centers on the analysis of the mechanisms of cleavage, energetics of the catalytic process, on recent findings of electrophilic assistance of leaving group departure, and the observation of a rapid hydrolytic reaction of a DNA model promoted by the dinuclear Zn(II) complex in ethanol containing less than 2% water. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EPR Study of 5-Chlorosalicylate-Cu(II)-3-Pyridylmethanol Ternary Complex Systems in Frozen Water–Methanol Solutions

Two copper(II) ternary complex systems containing 5-chlorosalicylic acid (5-ClsalH) and different copper(II) salts with varying 3-pyridylmethanol (ron = ronicol) concentration, system I [CuSO₄ (aq) +2(5-ClsalH(solv)) + xron(l)] and system II [Cu(ac)₂(aq) + 2(5-ClsalH(solv)) + xron(l)], where x = 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8, were prepared and studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in frozen water–methanol solutions to observe the effects of different copper(II) salts and varying neutral ligand concentration on the formation of resulting complexes in solution. The trend in g-values (g _|| > g _⊥ > 2.0023) indicates that the unpaired electron on the copper ion is localized in the d_{x² - y²} d_{{x}^{\rm{2}} - {y}^{\rm{2}}} orbital. The detailed analysis of the second-derivative Cu(II) EPR spectra has shown well-resolved ¹⁴N superhyperfine splitting in the perpendicular part of the axially symmetric spectra. The resolution of nitrogen superhyperfine multiplet patterns increased with increase in the ronicol concentration (ligand-to-metal ratio x). The number of superhyperfine lines was found to be constant (nonet) when x > 4 for system I and x ≥ 4 for system II. This fact indicates that for these x-values four equivalent nitrogen atoms could be coordinated to the central copper atom in the equatorial plane of both systems.