Binuclear copper(II) complexes of xylyl-bridged bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligands

Copper(II) complexes of three bis(tacn) ligands, Cu(2)(T(2)-o-X)Cl(4)] (1), Cu(2)(T(2)-m-X)(H(2)O)(4)](ClO(4))(4).H(2)O.NaClO(4) (2), and Cu(2)(T(2)-p-X)Cl(4)] (3), were prepared by reacting a Cu(II) salt and L.6HCl (2:1 ratio) in neutral aqueous solution T(2)-o-X = 1,2-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-ylmethyl)benzene; T(2)-m-X = 1,3-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-ylmethyl)benzene; T(2)-p-X = 1,4-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-ylmethyl)benzene]. Crystals of Cu(2)(T(2)-m-X)(NPP)(mu-OH)](ClO(4)).H(2)O (4) formed at pH = 7.4 in a solution containing 2 and disodium 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (Na(2)NPP). The binuclear complexes Cu(2)(T(2)-o-XAc(2))(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2).4H(2)O (5) and Cu(2)(T(2)-m-XAc(2))(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2).4H(2)O (6) were obtained on addition of Cu(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O to aqueous solutions of the bis(tetradentate) ligands T(2)-o-XAc(2) (1,2-bis((4-(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)methyl)benzene and T(2)-m-XAc(2) (1,3-bis((4-(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-yl)methyl)benzene), respectively. In the binuclear complex, 3, three N donors from one macrocycle and two chlorides occupy the distorted square pyramidal Cu(II) coordination sphere. The complex features a long Cu...Cu separation (11.81 A) and intermolecular interactions that give rise to weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic coupling between Cu(II) centers. Complex 4 contains binuclear cations with a single hydroxo and p-nitrophenyl phosphate bridging two Cu(II) centers (Cu...Cu = 3.565(2) A). Magnetic susceptibility studies indicated the presence of strong antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal centers (J = -275 cm(-1)). Measurements of the rate of BNPP (bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate) hydrolysis by a number of these metal complexes revealed the greatest rate of cleavage for Cu(2)(T(2)-o-X)(OH(2))(4)](4+) (k = 5 x 10(-6) s(-1) at pH = 7.4 and T = 50 degrees C). Notably, the mononuclear Cu(Me(3)tacn)(OH(2))(2)](2+) complex induces a much faster rate of cleavage (k = 6 x 10(-5) s(-1) under the same conditions).