Theoretical Studies on the Cu-Cu Interaction and Stability of [Cu_a(Ph_2Ppy)_b(CH_3CN)_c]~(a+) (a=1～2,b=1～3,c=0～2)

To study the Cu-Cu interaction and stability of the title complexes,the structures of complexes [Cu(Ph2Ppy)(CH3CN)]+ 1,[Cu(Ph2Ppy)]+ 2,[Cu2(Ph2Ppy)2(CH3CN)2]2+ 3,[Cu2(Ph2Ppy)2(CH3CN)]2+ 4,[Cu2(Ph2Ppy)2]2+ 5 and [Cu2(Ph2Ppy)3(CH3CN)]2+ 6 were calculated by density functional theory PBE0 method,and the following conclusions can be drawn:(1) There is no orbital overlapping between two Cu atoms,indicating no Cu-Cu orbital interaction exists in complexes 3～6.Due to a breakdown of the closed shell configuration of Cu atoms,the weak Cu-Cu interactions result from the 3dCu → 4sCu' charge-transfer in 4～6.The Cu-Cu interaction strength follows 5 6 4,implying that there are stronger Cu-Cu interactions in the complexes with fewer CH3CN or more Ph2Ppy ligands.(2) The calculated interaction energies suggest that the coordination of Cu to Ph2Ppy is stronger than that to CH3CN.In 3～6,there are weaker interactions between Cu and CH3CN or Ph2Ppy in the complexes with more CH3CN or Ph2Ppy ligands.(3) The P-Cu and N-Cu interactions are much stronger than the Cu-Cu interaction,so we mainly attribute the stabilities of the binuclear complexes to the eight-membered rings Cu2P2N2C2.     

Kupfer(I)-Komplexe mit 1-Azadien-Chelatliganden und ihre Reaktion mit Sauerstoff

Copper(I) Complexes with 1-Azadiene Chelate Ligands and Their Reaction with Oxygen The reaction of the bidendate 1-azadiene ligands Me₂N? (CH₂)_n? N?CH? CH?CH? Ph with CuX results in the formation of the dimeric compounds [ A CuX]₂ and [ B CuX]₂ ( A : n = 2, B : n = 3, X: I, Cl). The structure of complex 1 [ A CuI]₂ was determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. 1 consists of two tetrahedrally coordinated Cu atoms connected by two iodo bridges. (Cu? Cu bond length: 261 pm). The ligand Me? N(CH₂CH₂N?CH? CH?CH? Ph)₂ ( C ) reacts with CuX to form the monomeric complexes [ C CuX] ( 5 : X?I, 6 : X?Cl). The crystal structure of 5 shows that the ligand acts as a tridendate ligand. The bond lengths of the CuN(sp²) bonds are significantly shorter than the Cu? N(sp³) distance. Reacting the podand-type ligands N(CH₂CH₂? N?CH? R)₃ ( D : R?Ph, E : R?-CH?CH? Ph) with CuX yields the ionic complexes 7 [ D Cu][CuCl₂] and 8 [ E Cu][CuCl₂]. 7 was characterized by X-ray analysis which confirmed that D acts as a four-dendate podand ligand. The compounds 1 ? 8 are unreactive towards CO₂ but take up O₂ even at deep temperatures. At ?78°C the orange-red complex 4 [ B CuCl]₂ reacts with O₂ in CH₂Cl₂ to form a deep violet solution, but the primary product of the oxidation could not be isolated. It reacts at room temperature to form the green complex 9 [μ-Cl, μ-OH][ B CuCl]₂. The X-ray structure analysis of 9 confirms that a dimeric Cu^II complex is formed in which both a chloro- and a hydroxo group are bridging the monomeric units. The Cu^II centers exhibit a distorted tetragonal-pyramidal coordination. The pathway of the reaction with O₂ will be discussed.     

Luminescent copper(I) halide adducts of [Au(im(CH2py)2)2]PF6 exhibiting short Au(I)···Cu(I) separations and unusual semibridging NHC ligands

The picolyl-substituted NHC complex [Au(im(CH(2)py)(2))(2)]PF(6) (1) reacts with two equivalents of copper(I) halides, affording compounds [Au(im(CH(2)py)(2))(2)(CuX)(2)]PF(6) (X = Cl, 2; Br, 3; I, 4). Each complex contains a nearly linearly coordinated [Au(NHC)(2)](+) center where the two picolyl groups on each im(CH(2)py)(2) ligand chelate a single copper atom. The Cu(I) center resides in a distorted tetrahedral environment and is coordinated to two pyridyl groups, a halide ion, and a gold metalloligand. The Au(I)-Cu(I) separations measure 2.7030(5), 2.6688(9), and 2.6786(10) ? for 2-4, respectively. Additionally, each Cu(I) center is further coordinated by a semibridging NHC ligand with short Cu-C separations of ~2.3 ?. In solution, these complexes dissociate the Cu(I) ion. In the solid state, 2-4 are photoluminescent with respective emission maxima of 512, 502, and 507 nm. The reaction of [Au(im(CH(2)py)(2))(2)]PF(6) with four equivalents of CuBr afforded the coordination polymer {[AuCu(2)Br(2)(im(CH(2)py)(2))(2)]Br·3CH(3)CN}(n) (5). This polymeric complex contains [Au(NHC)(2)](+) units interconnected by Cu(2)Br(2) dimers. In 5, the Au-Cu separations are long at 4.23 and 4.79 ?, while the Cu-Cu distance is considerably shorter at 2.9248(14) ?. In the solid state, 5 is photoluminescent with a broad band appearing at 533 nm.     

Fused pyridazines: rigid multidentates for designing and fine-tuning the structure of hybrid organic/inorganic frameworks

Fused pyridazines (1,2,3,6,7,8-hexahydro-cinnolino[5,4,3-cde]cinnoline, L and its 2,2,7,7-tetramethyl derivative, Me4L) are designed as rigid multidentate ligands for the construction of framework solids. In combination with copper(I) bromide (iodide) they provide excellent structural examples for predictive engineering and the possibilities for further fine-tuning of the framework architectures facilitated by the tetradentate function of the ligands and effective cooperation of organic and inorganic bridges. This study features control over helical structures for (CuX)n chains and homo/heterochiral combination of the helices in the lattice, the design of a range of channelled and tubular CuX networks and the structural significance of ligand shape complementarity. 3D tetragonal Cu2X2(L) frameworks exist either as chiral or achiral supramolecular isomers Cu2I2(Me4L) and Cu12I12[Cu(CH3CN)]3(L)(6-)Cu3I6.CH3CN illustrate 3D hexagonal channelled and tubular arrays; Cu2I2(Me4L)(CH3CN) and Cu4I4(L)(CH3CN)2 complexes are 1D polymers.     

Trinuclear-based copper(I) pyrazolate polymers: effect of trimer π-acid···halide/pseudohalide interactions on the supramolecular structure and phosphorescence

Under different situations, solvothermal reactions of 3,5-diethyl-4-(4-pyridyl)-pyrazole (HL) with CuX or CuX(2) (X = Cl, Br, I, and SCN) afforded five copper(I) coordination polymers, {CuX[CuL](3)·solvent}(n) (X = Cl, 1; Br, 2; I, 3; X = SCN and solvent = MeCN, 4) and {Cu(2)I(2)[CuL](3)}(n) (5). X-ray diffraction analyses show that all the complexes have trinuclear [CuL](3) (referred as Cu(3)) secondary building units featuring planar nine-membered Cu(3)N(6) metallocycles with three peripheral pyridyl groups as connectors, which are further linked by CuX or Cu(2)X(2) motifs to generate single- or double-strand chains. Interestingly, the Cu(I) atoms within the Cu(3) units in 1-5 behave as coordinatively unsaturated π-acid centers to contact soft halide/pseudohalide X atoms of CuX and Cu(2)X(2) motifs, which lead to novel sandwich substructures of [(Cu(3))(Cu(2)X(2))(Cu(3))] (X = Br, I, and SCN) in 2-4. In addition, both the π-acid [Cu(3)]···X contacts and intertrimer Cu···Cu interactions contribute to the one-dimensional (1D) double-strand and 2D/3D supramolecular structures of 1-5. All of these complexes exhibit high thermostability and bright solid-state phosphorescence upon exposure to UV radiation at room temperature. The emissions arise from the mixtures of metal-centered charge transfer, metal to ligand charge transfer, and halide-to-ligand charge transfer excited states, and can be tuned by intermolecular π-acid [Cu(3)]···halide/pseudohalide contacts.     

极长与极短的铜铜距离-吡唑环三核亚铜配合物亲铜作用本质及发光调控

本文结合近年来亲金属作用研究领域的进展,针对本课题组在环三核亚铜配合物方面的最新研究成果,讨论了两个铜(I)–铜(I)作用相差悬殊的体系。一是通过构筑具有环三核单元的三棱柱笼状配合物,确认在正堆积模式下即使环三核单元之间亲铜作用极弱依然可以在磷光发射态中产生强亲铜作用,且通过配体的预留配位点与Cu_2I_2簇连结从而得到自校准大范围发光温度计;二是通过与亲铜作用正交的Br―Br卤键,实现环三核亚铜配合物前所未有的极短铜(I)–铜(I)距离,通过各种电子结构分析方法研究其本质。结果表明即使当铜(I)–铜(I)距离很接近铜的范德华半径和时,其本质依然为闭壳层作用,而Br―Br作用总为闭壳层作用,且该体系中最强的Br―Br作用很好地体现出一个Br原子的σ穴和另一个Br原子的负静电势区域的匹配性。     

PAs3S3 cage as a new building block in copper halide coordination polymers

First examples of the coordination chemistry of the PAs(3)S(3) cage were obtained from solutions of PAs(3)S(3)·W(CO)(5) (1) in CH(2)Cl(2) or CH(2)Cl(2)/toluene and CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) in MeCN through interdiffusion techniques. Crystals of [Cu(PAs(3)S(3))(4)]X (2, X = Cl; 3, X = Br) and [(Cu(2)I)(PAs(3)S(3))(3)]I (4) were obtained and characterized by Raman spectroscopy (2) and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The solid-state structures reveal an unexpected coordination versatility of the PAs(3)S(3) ligand: apical phosphorus and bridging sulfur atoms interact with copper, while As···X interactions determine the dimensionality of the frameworks. The structures of 2 and 3 contain tetrahedral [(PAs(3)S(3))(4)Cu](+) cations as secondary building units (SBUs), which are arranged by interactions with Cl(-) or Br(-) anions into two- and three-dimensional substructures. These interpenetrate into a (2D + 3D) polycatenane. Compound 4 is built up by a one-dimensional [(Cu(2)I)(PAs(3)S(3))(3)](n)(n+) ribbon with PAs(3)S(3) cages as P,S-linkers. The As atoms of the exo PAs(3)S(4) linkers interact with iodide counterions (3.35 < d(As-I) < 3.59 ?). The resulting two-dimensional layer is organized by weak As···I interactions (d(As-I = 3.87 ?) into a 3D network.     

Structural comparison of copper(I) and copper(II) complexes with tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand

Copper(I) complexes with the tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPMA) ligand were synthesized and characterized to examine the effect of counteranions (Br(-), ClO(4)(-), and BPh(4)(-)), as well as auxiliary ligands (CH(3)CN, 4,4'-dipyridyl, and PPh(3)) on the molecular structures in both solid state and solution. Partial dissociation of one of the pyridyl arms in TPMA was not observed when small auxiliary ligands such as CH(3)CN or Br(-) were coordinated to copper(I), but was found to occur with larger ones such as PPh(3) or 4,4'-dipyridyl. All complexes were found to adopt a distorted tetrahedral geometry, with the exception of [Cu(I)(TPMA)][BPh(4)], which was found to be trigonal pyramidal because of stabilization via a long cuprophilic interaction with a bond length of 2.8323(12) ?. Copper(II) complexes with the general formula [Cu(II)(TPMA)X][Y] (X = Cl(-), Br(-) and Y = ClO(4)(-), BPh(4)(-)) were also synthesized to examine the effect of different counterions on the geometry of [Cu(II)(TPMA)X](+) cation, and were found to be isostructural with previously reported [Cu(II)(TPMA)X][X] (X = Cl(-) or Br(-)) complexes.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a novel mixed-valent Cu(II)Cu(I)Cu(II) triangular metallomacrocycle using an imine-based rigid ligand

A novel neutral mixed-valent Cu(I)Cu(II)(2) triangular metallomacrocycle [Cu(3)L(2)(HL)].3CH(3)OH.2H(2)O (1) was assembled by reaction of the tetradentate ligand bis(N-salicylidene-4,4'-diphenylamine), H(2)L, with a copper(II) salt. ESI-MS show peaks only corresponding to the triangular structural species, indicating the high stability of the trimer structure in solution. Magnetic study confirms that there are two Cu(II) ions and one Cu(I) ion in a discrete triangular molecule. The crystal structure of 1 reveals that the triangle is formed by three deprotonated ligands and three copper ions with a Cu-Cu separation of ca. 11.8 A. Each copper atom is coordinated by two oxygen atoms and two nitrogen atoms from two different bis-bidentate ligands in a heavily distorted tetrahedral geometry, while each ligand is bound to two metal ions in a bis-bidentate coordination mode and links the metal centers overlapping in an unprogressive manner. Strong intramolecular pi.pi interactions between the ligands are found to stabilize the constraint conformation of the triangle. Electrochemical study reveals that the mixed-valent Cu(I)Cu(II)(2) complex is the most stable state in solution condition, and the electrochemical communication between the copper ions might be explained on the basis of the through-bond interaction. UV-vis-NIR spectral measurement demonstrates the Robin-Day class II behavior of the mixed-valence compound with a weak copper-copper interaction.     

DNA甲基化-非甲基化碱基间堆积作用的理论研究

运用二级Mфller-Plesset(MP2)理论方法和cc-pVDZ基组优化了6-甲基鸟嘌呤(O6-MethylG),4-甲基胸腺嘧啶(O4-MethylT)以及5-甲基胞嘧啶(C5-MethylC)与DNA碱基鸟嘌呤(G),腺嘌呤(A),胞嘧啶(C),胸腺嘧啶(T)之间的堆积构型.在MP2/aug-cc-pVXZ//MP2/cc-pVDZ(X=D,T)水平上,采用完全基组外推方法校正了堆积碱基对间的相互作用能,并用完全均衡校正法(CP)校正了基组重叠误差(BSSE).MP2计算结果表明,DNA碱基甲基化使得嘧啶-嘧啶、嘧啶-嘌呤堆积碱基间的平行旋转角发生明显改变,并使堆积碱基间的相互作用能增大.在MP2/cc-pVDZ计算级别上得到了各堆积碱基对的全电子波函数,并用分子中的原子理论(AIM)分析了堆积碱基对间的弱相互作用.AIM分析结果显示,甲基化增强了堆积碱基间的π-π作用,且甲基氢与相邻碱基间形成H2CH…X(X=O,N,CH3,NH2)等类型的氢键.甲基化损伤使碱基间重叠程度增大、π-π作用增强以及堆积碱基间形成多个氢键,是堆积作用能增加的主要原因.     

卤化亚铜三苯基膦络合物的XPS振起伴峰及其价带谱研究

卤化亚铜三苯基膦络合物(Ph_3P)_3Cu_nX_n(n=1,2;X=Cl,Br,I和CN)具有较好的催化活性和选择性,因而引起了人们的注意。X射线衍射研究表明(Ph_3P)_3CuX中Cu具有四配位的结构,而(Ph_3P)_3Cu_2X_2中Cu却具有四配位和三配位的结构。由XPS来表征它们的成键特征的工作尚未见诸报道。实验按文献[6]所述方法制备络合物。经熔点测定、元素分析,证实所制样品的纯度符合要求。按标准方法纯化氯化亚铜和溴化亚铜,并将新制样品置于充满高纯氮的干燥器中。测试     

Increasing structure dimensionality of copper(I) complexes by varying the flexible thioether ligand geometry and counteranions

This work focuses on the systematic investigation of the influences of pyrimidine-based thioether ligand geometries and counteranions on the overall molecular architectures. A N-containing heterocyclic dithioether ligand 2,6-bis(2-pyrimidinesulfanylmethyl)pyridine (L1) and three structurally related isomeric bis(2-pyrimidinesulfanylmethyl)benzene (L2-L4) ligands have been prepared. On the basis of the self-assembly of CuX (X = I, Br, Cl, SCN, or CN) and the four structurally related flexible dithioether ligands, we have synthesized and characterized 10 new metal-organic entities, Cu4(L1)2I4 1, Cu4(L1)2Br4 2, [Cu2(L2)2I2.CH3CN]n 3, [Cu(L3)I]n 4, [Cu(L3)Br]n 5, [Cu(L3)CN]n 6, [Cu(L4)CN]n 7, [Cu2(L4)I2]n 8, [Cu2(L4)(SCN)2]n 9, and [[Cu6I5(L4)3](BF4).H2O]n 10, by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Single-crystal X-ray analyses show that the 10 Cu(I) complexes possess an increasing dimensionality from 0D (1 and 2) to 1D (3-5) to 2D (6-9) to 3D (10), which indicates that the ligand geometry takes an essential role in the framework formation of the Cu(I) complexes. The influence of counteranions and pi-pi weak interactions on the formation and dimensionality of these coordination polymers has also been explored. In addition, the photoluminescence properties of Cu(I) coordination polymers 4-10 in the solid state have been studied.     

A complete series of copper(II) halide complexes (X = F, Cl, Br, I) with a novel Cu(II)-C(sp3) bond

A complete series of copper(ii) halide complexes [CuX(tptm)](X = F (), Cl (), Br (), I (); tptm = tris(2-pyridylthio)methyl) with a novel Cu(II)-C(sp(3)) bond has been prepared by the reactions of [Cu(tptm)(CH(3)CN)]PF(6)(.PF(6)) with corresponding halide sources of KF or n-Bu(4)NX (X = Cl, Br, I), and the trigonal bipyramidal structures have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography and/or EPR spectroscopy. The iodide complex easily liberates the iodide anion in acetonitrile forming the acetonitrile complex as a result. The EPR spectra of the complexes showed several superhyperfine structures that strongly indicated the presence of spin density on the halide ligands through the Cu-X bond. The results of DFT calculations essentially matched with the X-ray crystallographic and the EPR spectroscopic results. Cyclic voltammetry revealed a quasi-reversible reduction wave for Cu(II)/Cu(I) indicating a trigonal pyramidal coordination for Cu(I) states. A coincidence of the redox potential for all [CuX(tptm)](0/+) processes indicates that the main oxidation site in each complex is the tptm ligand.     

Synthesis, characterization, and DFT studies of thione and selone Cu(I) complexes with variable coordination geometries

Coordination of Cu(I) halides with N,N'-dimethylimidazole selone (dmise) and thione (dmit) ligands was examined by treating CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) with one or two equivalents of dmise or dmit. The reaction of CuI and CuBr with one molar equivalent of dmise results in unusual selenium-bridged tetrameric Cu(4)(μ-dmise)(4)(μ-X)(2)X(2) copper complexes with average Cu-Se bond lengths of 2.42 ? and a Cu(2)(μ-X)(2) core (X = I (1) or Br (6)) that's in a rhomboidal structure. The reaction of CuX (X = Cl, Br, and I) with two equivalents of dmit or dmise results in trigonal planar Cu(I) complexes of two different conformations with the formula Cu(dmit)(2)X (3a, 3b, 4, and 7) or Cu(dmise)(2)X (2, 5, and 8) with average Cu-S and Cu-Se bond lengths of 2.23 ? and 2.34 ?, respectively. The coordination geometry around the copper center in complexes 1 to 8 is determined by the type of halide and chalcogenone ligand used, intramolecular π-π interactions, and short contact interactions between X-H (X = I, Br, Cl, Se or S). The theoretical DFT calculations are in good agreement with experimental X-ray structural data and indicate that dmise ligands are required for formation of the tetrameric complexes 1 and 6. Electrochemical studies show that the trigonal copper selone complexes have more negative potentials relative to analogous copper thione complexes by an average of 108 mV.     

Syntheses, structures and magnetism of linear tri- and tetra-copper chains containing anions of N,N'-bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)formamidine

Reaction of Kpmf (pmf(-) = anion of N,N'-bis(pyrimidyl-2-yl)formamidine, Hpmf) with divalent copper salt CuX2 afforded the linear trinuclear complexes of the type [Cu3(pmf)4](X)2 (X = BF4, 1; NO3, 2; ClO4, 3), while reaction of Kpmf with monovalent copper salt CuX gave the linear tetranuclear complexes of the type Cu4(pmf)4X2 (X = Cl, 4; Br, 5). The copper atoms of complexes 1-5 are helically bridged by four pmf(-) ligands, resulting in three different coordination modes for the pmf(-) ligands. In complexes 1-3, one pmf(-) ligand adopts a new coordination mode with the two amine nitrogen atoms chelating to the central copper atom, while the other three feature chelation by one pyrimidyl and one adjacent amine nitrogen atoms. The Cu(II)...Cu(II) distances are 2.729(2) and 2.825(2) A for 1, 2.762(1) and 2.832(1) A for 2 and 2.732(1) and 2.827(1) A for 3. In complexes 4 and 5, the pmf(-) ligands are coordinated to the copper atoms in tetradentate fashion with each nitrogen atom coordinating to one Cu atom. The Cu...Cu distances are 2.580(1) and 2.549(1) A for 4 and 2.582(1) and 2.561(1) A for 5. Antiferromagnetic interactions between the copper ions are observed with calculated g and J values of 2.03(1) and -188(2) cm(-1) for 1, 2.09(1) and -268(3) cm(-1) for 2, and 2.09(1) and -486(2) cm(-1) for 5. By comparing the magnetic data it can be shown that the bonding mode of the pmf(-) ligand is one of the important factors in determining the strengths of the Cu...Cu interactions in linear trinuclear and tetranuclear copper complexes.     

Ligand‐Unsupported Cuprophilicity in the Preparation of Dodecacopper(I) Complexes and Raman Studies

Synthesis and characterization of two dodecacopper(I) extended metal atom chains (EMAC) assembled by two hexadentate bis(pyridylamido)amidinate‐supported hexacopper(I) string complexes (monomers) via the ligand‐unsupported cuprophilicity are described. In addition to short unsupported Cu?Cu contacts, two hexacopper fragments in these two dodecacopper EMACs show a bent conformation based on X‐ray crystallography. Compared with their THF‐bound hexacopper(I) monomers and protonated ligands, these ligand‐unsupported cuprophilic interactions are shown to be weak by Raman spectroscopy. DFT calculations suggest the ligand‐unsupported cuprophilicity originate from weak attractive orbital interactions, and the strength is estimated to be 2.4 kcal mol^?1.     

Photodissociation of methane: exploring potential energy surfaces

The potential energy surface for the first excited singlet state (S(1)) of methane is explored using multireference singles and doubles configuration interaction calculations, employing a valence triple zeta basis set. A larger valence quadruple zeta basis is used to calculate the vertical excitation energy and dissociation energies. All stationary points found on the S(1) surface are saddle points and have imaginary frequencies for symmetry-breaking vibrations. By studying several two-dimensional cuts through the potential energy surfaces, it is argued that CH(4) in the S(1) state will distort to planar structures. Several conical intersection seams between the ground state surface S(0) and the S(1) surface have been identified at planar geometries. The conical intersections provide electronically nonadiabatic pathways towards products CH(3)((approximately)X (2)A"(2))+H, CH(2)((approximately)a (1)A(1))+H(2), or CH(2)((approximately)X (3)B(1))+H+H. The present results thereby make it plausible that the CH(3)((approximately)X (2)A"(2))+H and CH(2)((approximately)a (1)A(1))+H(2) channels are major dissociation channels, as has been observed experimentally.     

Structural variations, electrochemical properties and computational studies on monomeric and dimeric Fe-Cu carbide clusters, forming copper-based staple arrays

The halide ligands of [Fe(4)C(CO)(12)(CuCl)(2)](2-) (1) and [Fe(5)C(CO)(14)CuCl](2-) (2) can be displaced by N-, P- or S-donors. Beside substitution, the clusters easily undergo structural rearrangements, with loss/gain of metal atoms, and formation of Fe(4)Cu/Fe(4)Cu(3) metallic frameworks. Thus, the reaction of 1 with excess dppe yielded [{Fe(4)C(CO)(12)Cu}(2)(μ-dppe)](2-) (3). [{Fe(4)C(CO)(12)Cu}(2)(μ-pyz)](2-) (4) was obtained by reaction of 2 with Ag(+) and pyrazine. [Fe(4)C(CO)(12)Cu-py](-) (5) was formed more directly from [Fe(4)C(CO)(12)](2-), [Cu(NCMe)(4)](+) and pyridine. [Fe(4)Cu(3)C(CO)(12)(μ-S(2)CNEt(2))(2)](-) (6) and [{Fe(4)Cu(3)C(CO)(12)(μ-pz)(2)}(2)](2-) (7) were prepared by substitution of the halides of 1 with diethyldithiocarbamate and pyrazolate, in the presence of Cu(i) ions. All of these products were characterized by X-ray analysis. 3 and 4 and 5 are square based pyramids, with iron in the apical sites, the bridging ligands connect the two copper atoms in 3 and 4. 6 and 7 are octahedral clusters with an additional copper ion held in place by the two bridging anionic ligands, forming a Cu(3) triangle with Cu-Cu distances ranging 2.63-3.13 ?. In 7, an additional unbridged cuprophilic interaction (2.75 ?) is formed between two such cluster units. DFT calculations were able to reproduce the structural deformations of 3-5, and related their differences to the back-donation from the ligand to Cu. Additionally, DFT found that, in solution, the tight ion pair [NEt(4)](2)7 is almost isoenergetic with the monomeric form. Thus, 3, 4 and 7 are entities of nanometric size, assembled either through conventional metal-ligand bonds or weaker electrostatic interactions. None of them allows electronic communication between the two monomeric units, as shown by electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemical studies. (dppe = PPh(2)CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2), pyz = pyrazine C(4)N(2)H(4), py = pyridine C(5)H(5)N, pz = pyrazolate C(3)N(2)H(3)(-)).