Copper(I) Complexes with a Proximal Aromatic Ring: Novel Copper–Indole Bonding

A unique bonding of indole to a metal ion has been established. Two new tridentate N ligands with a pendent indole ring gave Cu^I complexes 1 and 2 , the latter of which exhibits the new form of bonding between the Cu^I ion in a distorted tetrahedral geometry and the indole C(2)−C(3) moiety. The bond is dependent upon the length of the side chain and therefore the accessibility of the ring to the metal center.