Metal derivatives of thiosemicarbazones: crystal and molecular structures of mono- and di-nuclear copper(I) complexes with N1-substituted thiosemicarbazones

The reactions of copper(II) chloride with a series of N¹-substituted thiosemicarbazones, {R¹(H)C²=N³–N²(H)–C¹(=S)–N¹HMe, R¹ = furan, Hftsc-N-Me; thiophene, Httsc-N-Me; phenyl, Hbtsc-N-Me} in 1 : 2 molar ratio yield copper(I) complexes : sulfur-bridged dinuclear complexes, [Cu₂Cl₂(μ-S-Hftsc-N-Me)₂(η¹-S-Hftsc-N-Me)₂] (1), [Cu₂Cl₂(μ-S-Httsc-N-Me)₂(η¹-S-Httsc-N-Me)₂] (2), and a mononuclear complex [CuCl(η¹-S–Hbtsc-N-Me)₂] (3). Complexes 1–3 have been characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N), spectroscopy (IR, ¹H NMR) and X-ray crystallography. The Cu(μ-S)₂Cu cores in 1 and 2 form parallelograms with unequal bond distances {Cu–S, 2.2831(3), 2.5955(4) Å (1); 2.2641(9), 2.8006(10) Å (2)}. Bond angles at sulfur and copper are, Cu–S–Cu, S–Cu–S, 69.86(11), 110.12(17)° (1); 75.84(3), 104.16(3)° (2), respectively. The Cu ··· Cu separations are 2.806 Å (1) and 3.141 Å (2) with each copper center a distorted tetrahedron (96.67–119.28°). Bond parameters of 3, Cu–S, 2.227(3), 2.224(3) Å, and 118.97–121.11° are different.     

Copper(I) and copper(II) complexes with pyrazine-containing pyridylalkylamide ligands N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide and N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide

Four copper(II) complexes and one copper(I) complex with pyridine-containing pyridylalkylamide ligands N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (HL^pz) and N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (HL^pz?) were synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structures of [Cu₂(L^pz)₂(4,4?-bipy)(OTf)₂] (1, OTf?=?trifluoromethanesulfonate, 4,4?-bipy?=?4,4?-bipyridine) and [Cu(L^pz)(py)₂]OTf·H₂O (2, py?=?pyridine) revealed binuclear and mononuclear molecular species, respectively, while [Cu(L^pz)(μ₂-1,1-N₃)]_n (3), [Cu(L^pz?)(μ₂-1,3-N₃)]_n (4), and [Cu(HL^pz)Cl]_n (5) are coordination polymer 1-D chains in the solid state.     

Synthesis and structural studies of (2E,3E)-3-[(6-{[(1E,2E)-2-(hydroxyimino)-1-methylpropylidene]amino}pyridin-2-yl)imino]butan-2-one oxime, ligand and its mono-, di- and trinuclear copper(II) complexes

A new dioxime ligand, (2E,3E)-3-[(6-{[(1E,2E)-2-(hydroxyimino)-1-methylpropylidene]amino}-pyridin-2-yl)imino]butan-2-one oxime, (H₂Pymdo) (3) has been synthesized in H₂O by reacting 2,3-butenedione monoxime (2) with 2,6-diaminopyridine. Mono-, di- and tri-nuclear copper(II) complexes of the dioxime ligand (H₂Pymdo) and/or 1,10-phenanthroline have been prepared. The dioxime ligand (H₂Pymdo) and its copper(II) complexes were characterized by ¹H-n.m.r., ¹³C-n.m.r. and elemental analyses, magnetic moments, i.r. and mass spectral studies. The mononuclear copper(II) complex of H₂Pymdo was found to have a 1:1 metal:ligand ratio. Elemental analyses, stoichiometric and spectroscopic data of the metal complexes indicated that the metal ions are coordinated to the oxime and imine nitrogen atoms (C=N). In the dinuclear complexes, in which the first Cu(II) ion was complexed with nitrogen atoms of the oxime and imine groups, the second Cu(II) ion is ligated with dianionic oxygen atoms of the oxime groups and are linked to the 1,10-phenanthroline nitrogen atoms. The trinuclear copper(II) complex (6) was formed by coordination of the third Cu(II) ion with dianionic oxygen atoms of each of two molecules of the mononuclear copper(II) complexes. The data support the proposed structure of H₂Pymdo and its Cu(II) complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of [Cu(Phca2en)(PPh3)X] (X=Cl, Br, I, NCS, N3) complexes: crystal structures of [Cu(Phca2en)(PPh3)Br] and [Cu(Phca2en)(PPh3)I]

New mixed-ligand copper(I) complexes, [Cu(Phca₂en)(PPh₃)X], [Phca₂en = N,N′-bis(β-phenylci-nnamaldehyde)-1,2-diiminoethane and X=Cl (1), Br (2), I (3), NCS (4), N₃ (5)] have been synthesized and characterized by various techniques. ¹H and ¹³C-NMR and IR spectral data of these copper(I) complexes are compared with the free ligand to elucidate some structural features. The structures of [Cu(Phca₂en)(PPh₃)Br] (2) and [Cu(Phca₂en)(PPh₃)I] (3) have been determined from single-crystal data showing that the coordination geometry around copper atom is a distorted tetrahedron. Furthermore, these Cu(I) complexes exhibit supramolecular motifs of the type multiple phenyl embraces resulting from attractive interactions between phenyl rings of PPh₃ moieties. The presence of the C–H…Cu weak intramolecular hydrogen bonds, due to the trapping of C–H bonds in the vicinity of the metal atoms, is also reported.     

A new type of mixed anionic framework in microporous rubidium copper vanadyl(V) phosphate,Rb2Cu(VO2)2(PO4)2

In dirubidium copper bis[vanadyl(V)] bis(phosphate), Rb₂Cu(VO₂)₂(PO₄)₂, three different oxo complexes form an anionic framework. VO₅ polyhedra in a trigonal bipyramidal configuration and PO₄ tetrahedra share vertices to form eight‐membered rings, which lie in layers perpendicular to the a axis of the monoclinic unit cell. Cu atoms at centres of symmetry have square‐planar coordination and link these layers along [100] to form a three‐dimensional anionic framework, viz. [Cu(VO₂)₂(PO₄)₂]_∞²⁻. Intersecting channels in the [100], [001] and [011] directions contain Rb⁺ cations. Topological relations between this new structure type and the crystal structures of A(VO₂)(PO₄) (A = Ba, Sr or Pb) and BaCrF₂LiF₄ are discussed.     

Mixed-Anion Cu(II) Complexes with 3-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazole (L), Syntheses and X-ray Crystal Structure of [Cu(L)2 Br]ClO4 (L=3-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazole)

Reaction of the ligand 3-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazole (L) with Cu(ClO₄)₂ and CuX₂ (X=Cl, Br, I) gives complexes with stoichiometry [Cu(L)₂X]ClO₄ (X = Cl, Br, I). The new complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and infrared and electronic spectroscopy. The crystal structure of the [Cu(L)₂Br]ClO₄ was determined by X-ray crystallography. The cation complex (i.e. [Cu(L)₂Br]P) contains copper(II) with a distorted trigonal bipyramid geometry with a Br^― ligand occupying an equatorial site. The penta-coordinated metal atom is bonded to two pyridinic nitrogens, two pyrazolic nitrogens, and one bromide anion. The pyrazolic H atoms are hydrogen bonded to Br atoms, resulting in infinite hydrogen-bonded chains running in the b direction. There are π‐π stacking interactions (charge-transfer arrays) between the parallel aromatic rings belonging to adjacent chains that may help to form hydrogen bonding in the coordination geometry around Cu (II).     

Synthesis of copper(II) and nickel(II) triazacycloalkane complexes

Summary Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of triazacycloalkanes (pqr-cy), with p, q, r = 2–6, have been prepared and characterized by means of electronic and i.r. spectroscopy, and by magnetic measurements. With nickel(II) mononuclear octahedral complexes [Ni(pgr-cy)₂](CI0₄)₂ are formed, but for copper(II) mononuclear octahedral complexes were obtained only for 222-cy and 223-cy. The other ligands gave copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(pgr-cy)CI]CIO₄, [Cu(pgr-cy)OH]ClO₄, Or [Cu(pgr-cy)CI_1/2OH_1/2]ClO₄. The hydroxy complexes have low magnetic moments and binuclear hydroxy bridged structures are proposed.Ligand names: e.g. p = q = r = 2 is 1,4,7-triazacvclononane     

Cobalt(II,III) and copper(II) complexes of 3-(2-furylidene) hydrazino-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine

A new series of cobalt(II, III) and copper(II) complexes of 3-(2-furylidene) hydrazino-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (L) having formulae LM^IIX₂, L₂M^IIX₂ and LCo^IIIX₃, (X = Cl, OAc or ClO₄; M^II = Co^II or Cu^II) were isolated and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductances, magnetic moments and i.r., electronic and e.s.r. spectral measurements. The i.r. spectra indicated that the ligand, L, behaves as a neutral bidentate towards divalent metal ions via a triazine-N, and azomethine-N, and acts as a tridentate towards cobalt(III) via the same two nitrogen atoms and the furan-O. The magnetic moments and electronic spectral data suggest a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry for [L₂Co]Cl₂, a diamagnetic tetragonally distorted octahedral geometry for [LCoCl₃], [LCo(OAc)₃] · 4H₂O and [LCo(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₃ and a dimeric square pyramidal geometry for both [LCuCl₂] and [LCu(OAc)₂] · 2H₂O through bridged chloro and acetato ligands, respectively. The ligand field parameters (B, 10Dq and ) were evaluated from the electronic spectral data and magnetic moments and related to the bonding of the complexes. The X-band e.s.r. spectra showed three g values with large magnetic anisotropy for [L₂Co]Cl₂ in accordance with pseudo-tetrahedral Co^II complexes; axial pattern for [LCuCl₂], [LCu(OAc)₂] · 2H₂O and [L₂Cu(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ with two g values and a signal due to M _s = ±2 transition for both chloro and acetato copper(II) complexes.     

Copper(I) and copper(II) complexes of diamino-dithioether ligands

Summary Copper(II) salts were reacted with two diamino-dithioether ligands, i.e. 1,3-di(o-aminophenylthio)propane (abbreviated H₂L¹) and 1,2-di(o-aminophenylthio)xylene (abbreviated H₂L²). Mixtures of copper(I) and copper(II) complexes were obtained with Cl^– and ClO ₄ ^– counterions. The major products were the copper(I) complexes, which were obtained pure after recrystallisation from MeCN-MeOH. The ligands lose two protons from the amine functions to form copper(I) complexes of general formula [CuL]X, where X = ClO ₄ ^– or Cl^–. The complexes were oxidised to [CuL]X₂ with H₂O₂ in DMF. Cu(NO₃)₂ on the other hand gave [CuH₂LNO₃]NO₃.     

Novel Copper(I) Clusters with 2‐(Diphenylphosphanyl)anilide Ligands. Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [Cu6X2(NHR)4] (X = Cl,Br, I; R = C6H4‐2‐PPh2)

Treatment of copper(I) halides CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) with lithium 2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)anilide [Li(HL)] in THF led to the formation of hexanuclear copper(I) complexes [Cu₆X₂(HL)₄] [X = Cl ( 1 ), Br ( 2 ), I ( 3 )]. In compounds 1 – 3 , the copper atoms are in a distorted octahedral arrangement and the amide ligands adopt a μ₃‐κP,κ²N bridging mode. Additionally there are two μ₂‐bridging halide ligands. Each of the [Cu₆X₂(HL)₄] clusters comprises two copper atoms, which are surrounded by two amide nitrogen atoms in an almost linear coordination [Cu–N: 186.2(3)–188.0(3) pm] and four copper atoms, which are connected to an amide N atom, a P atom, and a halogen atom in a distorted trigonal planar fashion [Cu–N: 199.6(3)–202.3(3) pm)].     

Synthesis and characterization of the [Cu(Cin2bda)2]ClO4 and [Cu(Ncin2bda)2]ClO4 complexes: Crystal structure of [Cu(Ncin2bda)2]ClO4

Two copper(I) complexes [Cu(Cin₂bda)₂]ClO₄ (I) and [Cu(Ncin₂bda)₂]ClO₄ (II) have been prepared by the reaction of the ligands N²,N²′-bis(3-phenylallylidene)biphenyl-2,2′-diamine (L¹) and N²,N²′-bis[3-(2-nitrophenyl)allylidene]biphenyl-2,2′-diamine (L²) and copper(I) salt. These compounds were characterized by CHN analyses, ¹H NMR, IR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The C=N stretching frequency in the copper(I) complexes shows a shift to a lower frequency relative to the free ligand due to the coordination of the nitrogen atoms. The crystal and molecular structure of II was determined by X-ray single-crystal crystallography. The coordination polyhedron about the copper(I) center in the complex is best described as a distorted tetrahedron. A quasireversible redox behavior was observed for complexes I and II. The article is published in the original.     

Copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone and 2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino-5-chlorobenzophenone-<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-methyl-thiosemicarbazones

The S-methyl thiosemicarbazone derivatives of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone and 2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino-5-chlorobenzophenone (L^I and L^II) and their copper(II) and palladium(II) chelates were synthesized. The solid compounds, [Cu(L^I)Cl]Cl · 2H₂O, [Cu(L^II)Cl]Cl · H₂O, [Pd(L^I)Cl]Cl, and [Pd(L^II)Cl₂], were characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric measurements, electronic, i.r., ¹H-n.m.r. and e.p.r. spectroscopy. The ligand behavior of the L^I and L^II explained by means of spectroscopic data. The experimental X-band e.p.r. spectra recorded from two different copper(II) ion coordinated powder complexes have characteristic line shapes that exhibit the axial symmetry around the paramagnetic ions. The theoretically well fitted spectra prove this case too. The absence of hyperfine signals has been attributed to the strong covalency effects of copper electrons with neighbouring N atoms. Orbital energy levels for magnetic electrons were determined from Spin Hamiltonian parameters. The anisotropic Lande splitting factors were specified in an order of and this case indicates that the unpaired electrons are located mainly in the orbital.     

Sulfanilamide copper(II) chelates with 2-[(2-hydroxyphenyl-imino)methyl]phenolom and 1-[(2-hydroxyphenylimino)-methyl]naphthalen-2-ol

2-[(2-Hydroxyphenylimino)methyl]phenol (H²L¹) and 1-[(2-hydroxyphenylimino)methyl]naphthalen-2-ol (H²L²) reacted with copper(II) acetate hydrate and sulfanilamide (Sf¹), sulfathiazole (Sf²), sulfaethidole (Sf³), sulfadiazine (Sf⁴), and sulfadimidine (Sf⁵) in ethanol to give mixed-ligand copper chelates with the composition Cu(Sf^1–5)(L^1–2) · n H₂O (n = 1, 2). All these complexes are monomeric. Salicylaldehyde imines (H₂L¹ and H₂L²) behave as doubly deprotonated tridentate O,N,O ligands, whereas sulfanilamides (Sf^1–5) are unidentate ligands. Thermolysis of the synthesized complexes includes dehydration at 70–90°C, followed by complete thermal decomposition (290–380°C). The complexes [Cu(Sf¹)(L¹)] · 2H₂O and [Cu(Sf³)(L¹)] · H₂O at a concentration of 10⁻⁴ M inhibited growth and reproduction of 100% of human myeloid leukemia cells (HL-60). The inhibitory effect was 90 and 75%, respectively, at a concentration of 10⁻⁵ M, whereas no antitumor activity was observed at a concentration of 10⁻⁶ M.     

Copper(II) complexes of 2-formyl-, 6-methyl-2-formyl- and 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-(2-methylpyridinyl)-,N(4)-(2-ethylpyridinyl)-and N(4)-methyl(2-ethylpyridinyl)thiosemicarbazones

Summary The title complexes of general formula [Cu(HL)Cl₂] or [Cu(L)Cl] have been isolated and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C-n.m.r., i.r. and electronic spectra. The i.r., electronic and e.s.r. spectral data for the Cu^II complexes are compared with those of previously studied complexes. The antitumour and antiviral activities of the thiosemicarbazones and their complexes are discussed.     

Copper coordination complexes of bis(4-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylthio)methane with in situ metal redox reactions

Five copper coordination complexes 1–5 with 2-bppm (2-bppm?=?bis(4-(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylthio)methane) have been prepared and structurally elucidated. Complexes 1 and 2 are both discrete dinuclear [2?+?2] macrocyclic structures, simultaneously formed in one-pot reaction with Cu(NO₃)₂ with in situ reduction of Cu²⁺. Similarly, dinuclear [2?+?2] macrocyclic motifs are found with 3 and 4, which are also obtained by one-pot reaction but with CuCl accompanied by in situ air oxidation of Cu⁺. Compound 5 exhibits a 1-D chain structure with 2-bppm and Cu₂I₂ connected one by one. Luminescence is measured for 2, 4, and 5, all based on d¹⁰-closed shell Cu(I).     

Synthesis,spectroscopy and thermal analysis of nickel(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes with N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-oxamide

Summary The new complexes K₂[Ni(H₂heo)₂]·3H₂O, K₂[Pd-(H₂heo)₂], K₂[Cu(heo)]·3H₂O and [Cu₂(heo)·2H₂O] {heo = [(CONCH₂CH₂O)₂]^4-} were prepared and characterized by chemical analyses, conductivity measurements, thermogravimetry, magnetic susceptibility and i.r. and u.v. spectroscopy.Monomeric square planar structures with MN₄ coordination spheres are found for the nickel and palladium complex anions.For copper, two different complexes were identified. In slightly alkaline media, a green insoluble nonelectrolyte [Cu₂(heo)·2H₂O] was prepared; the two copper(II) centres are bridged by the tetra-deprotonated ligand in a trans-planar configuration with the H₂O molecules strongly coordinated to the copper(II). The copper(II) monomer has been prepared in strong alkaline media, this anion also contains the tetra-deprotonated ligand in a planar trans form.     

Synthesis and Structure of Copper(II) Nitrate Complexes with 2, 6‐Bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine

Three mononuclear copper(II) complexes of copper nitrate with 2, 6‐bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine ( bPzPy ) and 2, 6‐bis(3′,5′‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)pyridine ( bdmPzPy ), [Cu(bPzPy)(NO₃)₂] ( 1 ), [Cu(bPzPy)(H₂O)(NO₃)₂] ( 2 ) and [Cu(bdmPzPy)(NO₃)₂] ( 3 ) were synthesized by the reaction of copper nitrate with the ligand in ethanol solution. The complexes have been characterized through analytical, spectroscopic and EPR measurements. Single crystal X‐ray structure analysis of complexes 1 and 2 revealed a five‐coordinate copper atom in 1 , whereas 2 contains a six‐coordinate (4+2) Cu^II ion with molecular units acting as supramolecular nodes. These neutral nodes are connected through O–H ··· O(nitrate) hydrogen bonds to give couples of parallel linear strips assembled in 1D‐chains in a zipper‐like motif.     

Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) hexaazamacrotetracyclic complexes containing organic ligands

Two mononuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(L)(NO₂)](ClO₄) (1) and [Cu(L)(MO₄)]₂· 5H₂O (2) (L = 1,3,10, 12,16,19-hexaazatetracyclo[17,3,1,1^12.16,0^4.9]tetracosane) have been synthesized and their structures determined. Both compounds show a distorted square-pyramidal geometry with the two secondary and two tertiary amines of the macrocycle and one ligand coordinated at the axial position. Cyclic voltammetry of the complexes gives two one-electron waves corresponding to Cu^II/Cu^III and Cu^II/Cu^I processes. The electronic spectra and electrochemical behavior of the complexes are significantly affected by the nature of the organic ligands.     

Neue Kupferkomplexe mit Phosphaalkenliganden. Molekülstruktur von [Cu{P(Mes*)C(NMe2)2}2]BF4 (Mes* = 2,4,6‐tBu3C6H2)

New Copper Complexes Containing Phosphaalkene Ligands. Molecular Structure of [Cu{P(Mes*)C(NMe₂)₂}₂]BF₄ (Mes* = 2,4,6‐tBu₃C₆H₂) Reaction of equimolar amounts of the inversely polarized phosphaalkene tBuP=C(NMe₂)₂ ( 1a ) and copper(I) bromide or copper(I) iodide, respectively, affords complexes [Cu₃X₃{μ‐P(tBu)C(NMe₂)₂}₃] ( 2 ) (X =Br) and ( 3 ) (X = I) as the formal result of the cyclotrimerization of a 1:1‐adduct. Treatment of 1a with [Cu(L)Cl] (L = PiPr₃; SbiPr₃) leads to the formation of compounds [CuCl(L){P(tBu)C(NMe₂)₂}] ( 4a ) (L = PiPr₃) and ( 4b ) (L = SbiPr₃), respectively. Reaction of [(MeCN)₄Cu]BF₄ with two equivalents of PhP=C(NMe₂)₂ ( 1b ) yields complex [Cu{P(Ph)C(NMe₂)₂}₂]BF₄ ( 5b ). Similarly, compounds [Cu{P(Aryl)C(NMe₂)₂}₂]BF₄ ( 5c (Aryl = Mes and 5d (Aryl = Mes*)) are obtained from ArylP=C(NMe₂)₂ ( 1c : Aryl = Mes; 1d : Mes*) and [(MeCN)₄Cu]BF₄ in the presence of SbiPr₃. Complexes 2 , 3 , 4a , 4b , and 5b‐5d are characterized by means of elemental analyses and spectroscopy (¹H‐, ¹³C{¹H}‐, ³¹P{¹H}‐NMR). The molecular structure of 5d is determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

Copper(II) complexes with derivatives of salen and tetrahydrosalen: a spectroscopic, electrochemical and structural study

Salen type complexes, CuL, the corresponding tetrahydrosalen type complexes, Cu[H₄]L, and N,N′-dimethylated tetrahydrosalen type complexes, Cu[H₂Me₂]L, were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, and electronic and ESR spectroscopy. In addition, the analogous copper(II) complexes with a derivative of the tetradentate ligand ‘salphen’ [salphen=H₂salphen=N,N′-disalicylidene-1,2-diaminobenzene] were studied. Solutions of CuL, Cu[H₄]L and Cu[H₂Me₂]L are air-stable at ambient temperature, except for the complex Cu(^tBu, Me)[H₄]salphen [H₂(^tBu, Me)[H₄]salphen=N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methylbenzyl)-1,2-diaminobenzene]. Cu(^tBu, Me)[H₄]salphen interacts with dioxygen and the ligand is oxidatively dehydrogenated (–CH₂–NH–→–C=N–) to form Cu(^tBu, Me)[H₂]salphen and finally, in the presence of base, Cu(^tBu, Me)salphen. X-ray structure analysis of Cu(^tBu, Me)[H₂Me₂]salen confirms a slightly tetrahedrally distorted planar geometry of the CuN₂O₂ coordination core. The complexes were subjected to spectrophotometric titration with pyridine, to determine the equilibrium constants for adduct formation. It was found that the metal center in the complexes studied is only of weak Lewis acidity. In dichlormethane, the oxidation Cu(II)/Cu(III) is quasireversible for the CuL type complexes, but irreversible for the Cu[H₄]L and Cu[H₂Me₂]L type. A poorly defined wave was observed for the irreversible reduction Cu(II)/Cu(I) at potentials less than −1.0 V. The ESR spectra of CuL at both 77 K and room temperature reveal that very well resolved lines can be attributed to the interaction of an unpaired electron spin with the copper nuclear spin, ¹⁴N donor nuclei and to a distant interaction with two equivalent protons [A^Cu(iso)≈253 MHz, A^N(iso)≈43 MHz, A^N(iso)≈20 MHz]. These protons are attached to the carbon atoms adjacent to the ¹⁴N nuclei. In contrast to CuL, the number of lines in the spectra of the complexes Cu[H₄]L and Cu[H₂Me₂]L is greatly reduced. At room temperature, only a quintet with a considerably smaller nitrogen shf splitting constant [A^N(iso)≈27 MHz] is observed. Both factors, planarity and conjugation, are thus essential for the observation of distant hydrogen shf splitting in CuL. Due to the C=N bond hydrogenation, the coordination polyhedra of the complexes Cu[H₄]L and Cu[H₂Me₂]L is more flexible and more sensitive to ligand modification than that of CuL. The electron-withdrawing effect of the phenyl ring of the phenylenediamine bridge is reflected in a reduction of the copper hyperfine coupling constants in Cu(^tBu, Me)[H₄]salphen and Cu(^tBu, Me)[H₂Me₂]salphen complexes [A^Cu(iso)≈215 MHz].