Coordination chemistry of amine bis(phenolate) cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) complexes

Cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) (1, 2, and 3) complexes of the dianionic form of the bis(phenolate) ligand N,N-bis(3,4-dimethyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N',N'-dimethylethylenediamine (H2L) have been synthesized by electrochemical oxidation of the appropriate metal in an acetonitrile solution of the ligand. When copper is used as the anode, the addition of 1,10-phenanthroline to the electrolytic phase gave rise to a different compound [CuL]2.2CH3CN (4). The compounds [CoL]2.2CH3CN (1), [Ni2L2(H2O)].H2O (2), [CuL]2.3H2O (3), and [CuL]2.2CH3CN (4) were characterized by microanalysis, IR, electronic spectroscopy, FAB mass spectrometry, magnetic measurements and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structures show that the complexes have a dinuclear structure. In compounds 1, 3, and 4, two metal ions are coordinated by the two amine nitrogens and the two phenol oxygen atoms of a deprotonated pendant phenol ligand, with one phenolic oxygen atom from ligand acting as a bridge. In compounds 1 and 3, each metal center has a geometry that is closest to trigonal bipyramidal. Magnetic susceptibility data for both compounds show an antiferromagnetic coupling with 2J = -15 cm(-1) for the cobalt(II) complex and a strong antiferromagnetic coupling with 2J = -654 cm(-1) for the copper(II) complex. However, in 4 the geometry around the metal is closer to square pyramidal and the compound shows a lower antiferromagnetic coupling (2J = -90 cm(-1)) than in 3. The nickel atoms in the dimeric compound 2 are hexacoordinate. The NiN2O4 chromophore has a highly distorted octahedral geometry. In this structure, a dianionic ligand binds to one nickel through the two amine nitrogen atoms and the two oxygen atoms and to an adjacent nickel via one of these oxygen atoms. The nickel atoms are linked through a triple oxygen bridge involving two phenolic oxygens, each from a different ligand, and an oxygen atom from a water molecule. The two nickel ions in 2 are ferromagnetically coupled with 2J = 19.8 cm(-1).     

Coordination chemistry of a novel tetramacrocyclic ligand derived from 1,4,7-triazacyclononane: synthesis,structure, and properties of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes

A new polynucleating ligand, 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(1,4,7-triazacyclonon-1-ylmethyl)benzene (Ldur), has been prepared and characterized as its dodecahydrobromide salt. Addition of base to an aqueous solution of this salt and 4 molar equivalents (m.e.) of a Ni(II) salt produces a mixture of bi- and trinuclear complexes, which can be separated by cation-exchange chromatography (CEC) and crystallized as [Ni2Ldur](ClO4)(4).2H2O (1) and [Ni3Ldur(H2O)6](ClO4)(6).9H2O (2). The "full capacity" tetranuclear complex, [Ni4Ldur(H2O)12](ClO4)(8).8H2O (3), is obtained by slow addition of Ldur to a refluxing aqueous solution of excess Ni2+ ions, followed by CEC purification. Treatment of Ldur with 4 m.e. of a copper(II) salt produces exclusively the tetranuclear complex, [Cu4Ldur(H2O)8](ClO4)(8).9H2O (4), while reaction with only 2 m.e. of Cu2+ ions yields the binuclear complex, [Cu2Ldur](ClO4)(4).4H2O (5). The X-ray structures of complexes 1,2,4, and [Cu2Ldur](ClO4)(4).3H2O (5') have been determined; all are monoclinic, P2(1)/c: for 1, a = 9.497(3) A, b = 13.665(5) A, c = 19.355(6) A, beta = 100.57(2) degrees, V = 2469(1) A3, and Z = 2; for 2, a = 22.883(7) A, b = 15.131(6) A, c = 20.298(8) A, beta = 97.20(3) degrees, V = 6973(4) A3, and Z = 4; for 4, a = 16.713(7) A, b = 16.714(6) A, c = 14.775(11) A, beta = 108.24(5) degrees, V = 3920(4) A3, and Z = 2; and for 5', a = 9.5705(1) A, b = 13.0646(1) A, c = 20.1298(2) A, beta = 103.1618(8) degrees, V = 2450.81(4) A3, and Z = 2. The metal centers in 1 and 5' lie in distorted octahedral environments, each facially coordinated by two of the triamine rings of Ldur, the cation in each case being centrosymmetric. In 2, one of the nickel(II) centers is similarly sandwiched by two triamine rings, while the other two nickel(II) centers are each coordinated by a single triamine ring from the ligand, with their distorted octahedral coordination spheres each being completed by three water molecules. In 4, the four triamine rings of Ldur bind to separate copper(II) centers, with two water molecules occupying the remaining two sites of the distorted square pyramidal (SP) coordination spheres, the cation again being centrosymmetric.     

A new branched phenanthroline derivative ligand: synthesis, solution chemistry, and crystal structures of copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes

The synthesis and characterization of the new ligand 2,9-bis[N,N-bis(2-aminoethyl)aminomethyl]-1,10-phenanthroline (L) are reported. L contains two diethylenetriamine units connected on the central nitrogen atom by a 1,10-phenanthroline group forming a symmetrical branched ligand. The basicity and binding properties of L toward Cu(II) and Zn(II) in aqueous solution were determined by means of potentiometric, UV-vis, fluorescence, and 1H and 13C NMR techniques. L behaves as pentaprotic base under the experimental conditions used; from HL+ to H4L4+ species it is the secondary amine functions that are protonated while in the H5L5+ species also the phenanthroline is involved in protonation. L does not show fluorescence properties in the range of pH (0-14) investigated. It forms both mono- and dinuclear stable species where the phenanthroline is directly involved with both nitrogens in the coordination of the first metal which is coordinated in a pentacoordination environment also by one dien unit. The other dien unit undergoes easy protonation in the mononuclear complex while it binds the second metal in the dinuclear species. For this reason, L, in providing two different binding areas for metal coordination, behaves as an unsymmetrical compartmental ligand; one area is formed by one dien unit and by the phenanthroline, and the other by the remaining dien unit. This produces unsymmetrical metal complexes both for the mono- and dinuclear species; however, the role of the binding areas is fast exchanging in aqueous solution, at least on the NMR time scale. Solution studies and the three crystal structures of the [Zn(H2L)]4+, [[Cu(H2L)](ClO4)]3+, and [[Cu2LCl2](ClO4)]+ species highlight the unsymmetrical compartmental behavior of L as well as the host properties of the complexes in adding exogenous ligands such as hydroxide, pherchlorate, and chloride anions.     

Oxidative degradation of beta-diketiminate ligand in copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes

Copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes supported by a popular beta-diketiminate ligand (1(-), 2-mesitylamino-4-mesitylimino-2-pentene), [CuII(1)(AcO)] and [[ZnII(1)]2(mu-MeO)(mu-AcO)], have been demonstrated to undergo an oxidative degradation to give a ketone diimine derivative (2) under aerobic conditions. The crystal structures of the mononuclear copper(II) and dinuclear zinc(II) complexes of the beta-diketiminate ligand as well as the copper(II) complex of the modified ligand have been determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Mechanism for the oxidative degradation reaction of the beta-diketiminate ligand is also discussed.     

Coordination chemistry of amine bis(phenolate) titanium complexes: tuning complex type and structure by ligand modification

The coordination chemistry of titanium(IV) complexes of amine bis(phenolate) ligands was investigated by synthesizing various types of complexes and analyzing them specroscopically and structurally. Steric effects of tridentate [ONO]- and tetradentate [ONNO]-type ligands were studied by reacting the ligand precursors with titanium tetra(isopropoxide). [ONNO]-type ligands featuring an amine donor located on a pendant arm led to octahedral bis(isopropoxide) complexes, regardless of the steric bulk around the metal. Several such complexes having varying steric crowding were thus synthesized. On the other hand, steric effects were found to play a major role in determining the complex constitution when [ONO]-type ligands, featuring no side donor, were involved. Relatively sterically undemanding ligands led to octahedral bis(homoleptic) complexes, whereas increased steric bulk resulted in the formation of pentacoordinate bis(isopropoxide) complexes. These pentacoordinate complexes readily lead to bis(heteroleptic) complexes by reaction with nonsterically demanding [ONO]- and [ONNO]-type ligand precursors. In the latter case the sidearm nitrogen remains uncoordinated to the metal. The bis(isopropoxide) complexes of the [ONNO]-type ligands may also lead to bis(heteroleptic) complexes, however, these reactions are much slower.     

Coordination behavior toward copper(II) and zinc(II) ions of three ligands joining 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinone and polyaza fragments

The synthesis and characterization of new polydentate ligand 2-(N),2'-(N')-bis[2-(3-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-pyridin-1-yl)acetamido]-1(N'),2(N),2'(N')-trimethyl-2,2'-diaminodiethylamine (L3) is reported. The coordination properties of L3 and of two analogous macrocyclic ligands (L1 and L2) toward Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ions are reported. All three ligands show the 3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone (HPO) groups attached as sidearms to a polyaza fragment, which is a macrocyclic framework in the case of L1 and L2 while it is an open chain in the case of L3. The role of the polyaza fragments in preorganizing the two sidearms was investigated. The basicity of L3 and the binding properties of L1-L3 were determined by means of potentiometric measurements in aqueous solution (298.1 +/- 0.1 K, I = 0.15 mol dm(-3)). UV-vis spectra as well 1H and 13C NMR experiments were used to understand the role of the HPO and of the polyaza fragments in the stabilization of the cations. While L1 forms stable mono- and dinuclear complexes, L2 and L3 can form only mononuclear species with each of the metal ions investigated. In the main mononuclear species of L2 and L3, the two HPO moieties stabilize the M(II) in a square planar geometry due to the two oxygen atoms of each HPO. The coordination sphere of the metal is completed by adding a secondary ligand such as water molecules in the case of Cu(II) systems or OH- in the Zn(II) systems. These results are confirmed by the crystal structures of the [CuH(-1)L2]+ and [CuH(-1)L3]+ species reported herein. Two conformations of L1 can be hypothesized in the formation of the dinuclear species, as suggested by NMR experiments on the [ZnH(-2)L1] species, which shows two conformers slowly interchanging on the NMR time scale, one of which was found to be more insoluble.     

Electrochemistry and catalytic behavior of immobilized binuclear complexes of copper(II) and nickel(II) with Robson type ligand

Various systems containing immobilized binuclear copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes with Robson type ligand ([M₂L]Cl₂) are studied and compared in relation to catalysis of hydrogen peroxide reduction. Molecular complexes adsorbed on mercury and gold, crystalline complexes immobilized in the carbon paste electrode, and complex species entrapped into polyphenol-modified gold electrodes are considered. Electrocatalysis is assumed to result from the formation of H₂O₂–[M₂L]Cl₂ adduct, not from mediating redox transformations. Possible geometry of the formed reaction layers supporting adduct formation is discussed.

Coordination chemistry and reactivity of zinc complexes supported by a phosphido pincer ligand

The preparation and characterization of new Zn(II) complexes of the type [(PPP)ZnR] in which R = Et (1) or N(SiMe(3))(2) (2) and PPP is a tridentate monoanionic phosphido ligand (PPP-H = bis(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)phosphine) are reported. Reaction of ZnEt(2) and Zn[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) with one equivalent of proligand PPP-H produced the corresponding tetrahedral zinc ethyl (1) and zinc amido (2) complexes in high yield. Homoleptic (PPP)(2) Zn complex 3 was obtained by reaction of the precursors with two equivalents of the proligand. Structural characterization of 1-3 was achieved by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (13)C, and (31)P) and X-ray crystallography (3). Variable-temperature (1)H and (31)P?NMR studies highlighted marked flexibility of the phosphido pincer ligand in coordination at the metal center. A DFT calculation on the compounds provided theoretical support for this behavior. The activities of 1 and 2 toward the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and of L- and rac-lactide were investigated, also in combination with an alcohol as external chain-transfer agent. Polyesters with controlled molecular parameters (M(n), end groups) and low polydispersities were obtained. A DFT study on ring-opening polymerization promoted by these complexes highlighted the importance of the coordinative flexibility of the ancillary ligand to promote monomer coordination at the reactive zinc center. Preliminary investigations showed the ability of these complexes to promote copolymerization of L-lactide and ε-caprolactone to achieve random copolymers whose microstructure reproduces the composition of the monomer feed.     

Di- and tetranuclear copper(II) complexes of a novel binucleating tetrathioether-tetrathiol ligand

A novel bi-tetradentate polythioether ligand, 6,6-methylene-bis(5- mercapto-3-thiahexyl)-4,8-dithiaundecane-1, 11-dithiol (H4L) was synthesized, and its di- and tetranuclear copper(II) complexes were prepared, and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic moments, 1H-n.m.r., i.r., and Uv/vis spectra. The i.r. data show that the ligand acts in a tetradentate manner and coordinates via one S atom of the thioether and thiol groups. The geometry of the metal chelates is discussed with the help of magnetic and spectroscopic measurements. The elemental analyses, stoichiometry, and spectroscopic data of the complexes indicate that the copper(II) ions are coordinated to the bi-dianion of the ligand. The function of the thiol ligand is to release protons to form copper(II) complexes, (Cu2L).     

Copper(II) and zinc(II) chemistry of a new hexadentate cyclam-based bis-di-2-pyridylmethanamine ligand

In the endo-conformation of the substituted cyclam derivative L, with two trans-disposed di-2-pyridylmethanamine (dipa) coordination sites (endo: both dipa subunits on the same face of cyclam), the bis-dipa-substituted cyclam platform may form hexacoordinate mononuclear complexes with the two dipa subunits coordinated to one metal ion or dinuclear complexes, when the two dipa subunits are coordinated to two metal ions (oligonuclear linear chain complexes with exo-configured ligands L and metal ions coordinated to the cyclam unit have not been observed so far). Here, the structures, relative stabilities and spectroscopic properties of the mononuclear complexes of Cu^II and Zn^II, which are formed in preference to other structural possibilities, are discussed, and the preference for their formation is also evaluated.     

Binuclear metal(II) complexes of a 30-membered hexa-aza macro-cyclic ligand

Summary Schiff base [2 + 2] condensation of p-phthalaldehyde with the triamine 1,7-diamino-4-azaheptane followed by reduction with NaBH₄ gives a 30-membered hexa-aza macrocyclic ligand. A series of binuclear copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized, ¹H-n.m.r., u.v.-vis. and i.r. measurements are reported with associated magnetic and electrochemical studies.Author to whom all correspondence should be directed.     

Synthesis of new mixed ligand complexes of copper(II) dithiocarbamates

New mixed ligand complexes of copper(II) dithiocarbamates of the general formula, [CuCl(R₂dtc)L] or [CuCi(R′ dtc)L] (RCH₃ or C₂H₅, R′ = (CH₂)₅, dtc =-NCSS^? and L = Pyridine, 3-picoline or 4-picoline), have been prepared by the reaction of bis(dithiocarbamato)di-μ-chloro-dicopper(II) complexes with pyridine or picolines. The complexes are found to be non-electrolytes in nitrobenzene. Magnetic susceptibilities, i.r. and electronic spectra of the complexes are reported. A psuedo-tetrahedral structure is suggested for these complexes.     

Henry reaction catalyzed by copper(I) complexes of a new pyridine‐containing macrocyclic ligand

The synthesis and characterization of copper(I) complexes of the novel pyridine‐containing macrocyclic ligand (PC‐L) and their use as catalysts in the Henry reaction are reported. The pyridine‐based 12‐membered tetraaza macrocyclic (PC‐L) ligand 1 can be obtained in good overall yield (85%) from commercially available starting materials. The Cu(I) complexes showed good catalytic activities in the Henry reaction of different aldehydes and nitroalkanes. Remarkable diastereoselectivity was observed when isatine was reacted with nitroethane under catalytic conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three copper(II) complexes constructed from a new 1,3,5-triazine derivative ligand

Three new complexes {[Cu(dpdapt)(Hhbd)] · 6H₂O}_n (1) (dpdapt = N,N′-di(2-pyridyl)-2,4-diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine, Hhbd = 2-hydroxybutanedioicate dianion), [Cu(dpdapt)(SO₄)] · 2H₂O (2) and [Cu(dpdapt)(oxa)] · H₂O (3) (oxa = oxalate dianion) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The non-covalent interactions of π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding extend complexes 1–3 into supramolecular architectures, where 1 self-assembles into a 1D polymeric chain by dicarboxylate bridges and exhibits a 3D framework with 1D open channels, while complexes 2 and 3 display 2D wavelike networks. Interestingly, in 1, the host framework encapsulates hexameric water clusters that are connected into 1D arrays by supramolecular association along the 1D open channels. The UV/vis, IR spectra, fluorescence and TG analysis for complexes 1, 2 and 3 are also discussed.     

Chromium(III), manganese(II), iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with a pentadentate, 15-membered new macrocyclic ligand

Complexes of Cr^III, Mn^II, Fe^III, Co^II, Ni^II and Cu^II containing a macrocyclic pentadentate nitrogen–sulphur donor ligand have been prepared via reaction of a pentadentate ligand (N₃S₂) with transition metal ions. The N₃S₂ ligand was prepared by [1 + 1] condensation of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with 1,2-di(o-aminophenylthio(ethane. The structures of the complexes have been elucidated by elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, i.r., electronic and e.p.r. spectral studies. The complexes are of the high spin type and are six-coordinate.     

Coordination chemistry of 2-hydroxymethylbenzimidazole complexes with copper(II) and cadmium(II) ions: Similarities and differences

The new Cu(II) and Cd(II) complexes of the biologically relevant ligand 2-hydroxymethylbenzimidazole: [CdL₂(NO₃)₂] 1, ([CuL₂(NO₃)](NO₃)(H₂O) 2, [CdL₃](NO₃)₂L(EtOH)_0.253, mer-[CuL₃](NO₃)₂(H₂O)(i-PrOH) 4 have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, UV–Vis, IR, Raman, EPR, NMR, X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. X-ray studies have confirmed a bidentate fashion of coordination of the 2-CH₂OHBIm to the Cd(II) as well to Cu(II) ions. This results in the formulation of a five-membered chelate ring in which both N(imidazole) and O(hydroxymethyl) donors of ligand are involved. A comparison of Cu(II) 4 and Cd(II) 3 model complexes shows that both metals may form complexes which exhibit identical structures (distorted octahedral) forming chromophores of the MN₃O₃ type. On the contrary, the polyhedra of metal complexes containing two ligands are different. The copper complex 2 is a five-coordinated with tetragonal pyramid as coordination polyhedron (CuN₂O₃) but cadmium forms an eight-coordinated (CdN₂O₆) complex 1. Weak C–H?π type interactions which were extracted from X-ray data of 1 were confirmed by the ¹³C NMR method. The IR data indicated that Cd(II) is a considerably better acceptor (Lewis acid) than Cu(II) ion for the N, O-donor ligand. The similarities and differences revealed in the coordination behaviour of Cu(II) and Cd(II) towards N, O-donor ligand should be treated as a test on possibility of the copper(II) ions to be displaced by cadmium(II), for example, in the intracellular sites.     

Studies on copper(II) complexes of some polyaza macrocycles derived from 1,2-diaminoethane

Syntheses of copper(II) complexes of 20-membered and 15-membered aza macrocycles 1,3,6,8,11,13,16,18-octaaza-2,7,12,17-tetrachlorocycloeicosane (OTCE, [20]-N₈) and 1,3,6,8, 11,13-hexaazacyclopentadecane (HCPD, [15]-N₆) involving metal template condensation between 1,2-diaminoethane, trichloromethane and dichloromethane, respectively, are reported. Formulation of [Cu₄(OTCE)(H₂O)₈]Cl₈ and [Cu₃(HCPD)(H₂O)₆]Cl₆ · 2H₂O and the ligand hydrochlorides OTCE · 8HCl and HCPD · 6HCl are supported by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, and spectral studies. For a comparative cavity size effect on the stability constant, potentiometric measurements on the copper complexes of the generated macrocycles [15]-N₆ and [20]-N₈ and the structurally related larger macrocycle 1,3,6,8,11,13,16,18,21,23-decaaza-2,2,7,7,12,12,17,17,22,22-decachlorocyclopentacosane (DDCP, [25]-N₁₀, prepared recently) have been performed in aqueous solution at 25°C (μ = 0.1 M KNO₃). Very high stability constants obtained for reaction Cu²⁺ + A ? CuA²⁺ (A = ligand, log K = 20.51 and 25.87, respectively, for OTCE and DDCP systems) are a reflection on the folding of the ligand to provide a small cavity suitable for fitting of the copper ion. Further, a high equilibrium constant value for CuA²⁺ + Cu²⁺ ? Cu₂A⁴⁺ (OTCE system, log K = 14.59) or Cu₂A⁴⁺ + Cu²⁺ ? Cu₃A⁶⁺ (DDCP system, log K = 16.69) is due to suitable fitting of two and three copper ions in the 20-membered and 25-membered ring cavity of OTCE and DDCP, respectively.     

Electron-transfer kinetics of copper(II/I) tripodal ligand complexes

The electron-transfer kinetics for each of three copper(II/I) tripodal ligand complexes reacting with multiple reducing and oxidizing counter reagents have been examined in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C, mu = 0.10 M. For all of the ligands studied, an amine nitrogen serves as the bridgehead atom. Two of the ligands (PMMEA and PEMEA) contain two thioether sulfurs and one pyridyl nitrogen as donor atoms on the appended legs while the third ligand (BPEMEA) has two pyridyl nitrogens and one thioether sulfur. Very limited kinetic studies were also conducted on two additional closely related tripodal ligand complexes. The results are compared to our previous kinetic study on a Cu(II/I) system involving a tripodal ligand (TMMEA) with thioether sulfur donor atoms on all three legs. In all systems, the Cu(II/I) electron self-exchange rate constants (k(11)) are surprisingly small, ranging approximately 0.03-50 M(-)(1) s(-)(1). The results are consistent with earlier studies reported by Yandell involving the reduction of Cu(II) complexes with four similar tripodal ligand systems, and it is concluded that the dominant reaction pathway involves a metastable Cu(II)L intermediate species (designated as pathway B). Since crystal structures suggest that the ligand reorganization accompanying electron transfer is relatively small compared to our earlier studies on macrocyclic ligand complexes of Cu(II/I), it is unclear why the k(11) values for the tripodal ligand systems are of such small magnitude.     

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.     

DNA-binding and cleavage studies of a dinuclear copper(II) complex with a 26-membered hexaazamacrocycle

The complex, [Cu₂LCl₂]Cl₂ · 3H₂O, where L = the macrocyclic ligand bis-p-xylylBISDIEN Schiff base, has been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, i.r. and mass spectra. The binding of the complex with calf thymus DNA has been investigated using absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The results suggest that the complex can bind to CT DNA by intercalation via the aromatic ring on the macrocycle into the base pairs of DNA. The complex exhibits efficient nuclease activity.