Simulation of donor-acceptor electron-transport systems in the example case of the oxidation of copper in media of organic solvents

The interaction of the onium salts [Me₂ Et=O]BF₄ ^–, [Me₂ =CH-OEt]BF₄ ^–, and [Me₃ =O]I^– with metallic copper in DMSO, DMF, and acetonitrile (AN) has been investigated. It has been shown that the reaction takes place with an intermediate step involving the formation of Cu(I) compounds. The complexes [Cu^I(AN)₄]BF₄, [Cu^II(DMSO)₅](BF₄)₂, [Cu^II(DMSO)₄(AN)₂](BF₄)₂, [Cu^II(DMSO)₂(DMF)(AN)](BF₄)₂, and [ME₃ ]₃Cu^II₄ · [Me₃ =O]I^– have been isolated and characterized. It has been established that dipolar onium compounds which simulate the intermediate products of the interaction of the components of donor-acceptor electron-transport systems are responsible for the oxidation of metals in organic complex-forming media.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1325–1330, June, 1991.     

Mixed metal complexes in solution. Thermodynamic and spectrophotometric study of copper(II)-citrate heterobinuclear complexes with nickel(II), zinc(II) or cadmium(II) in aqueous solution

Summary A thermodynamic study of Cu^II–M^II-citrate (M^II=Ni^II, Zn^II or Cd^II) ternary systems has been performed by means of potentiometric measurements of hydrogen ion concentration at different temperatures (10, 25, 35 and 45°C) and at I=0.1 mol dm^–3 (KNO₃).The different binary and ternary systems involved have been further characterized by visible spectra and by calculating the spectra ( versus ) of all the Cu^II complexes.The thermodynamic data suggest strong entropic stabilization for the species under discussion. As regards the visible spectral characteristics of Cu^II(d-d transitions), the substitution of one Cu^II ion in the dimer [Cu₂(cit)₂H_–2]^4– by Ni^II or Zn^II to form heterobinuclear [CuM(cit)₂H_–2]^4– complexes, gives rise to a change in the visible spectrum.     

Electrochemical synthesis and magnetic studies of neutral transition metal imidazolates and pyrazolates

Summary The single-step electrochemical synthesis of neutral transition metal complexes of imidazole, pyrazole and their derivatives has been achieved at ambient temperature. The metal was oxidized in an Me₂CO solution of the diazole to yield complexes of the general formula: [M(Iz)₂] (where M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; Iz = imidazolate); [M(MeIz)₂] (where M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; MeIz = 4-methylimidazolate); [M(PrⁱIz)₂] (where M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; PrⁱIz = 2-isopropylimidazolate); [M(pyIz)_n] (where M = Co^III, Cu^II, Zn^II; pyIz = 2-(2-pyridyl)imidazolate); [M(Pz)_n] (where M = Co^III, Ni^II, Cu^II, Zn^II; Pz = pyrazolate); [M(ClPz)_n] and [M(IPz)_n] (where M = Co^III, Ni^II, Cu^II, Zn^II; ClPz = 4-chloropyrazolate; IPz = 4-iodopyrazolate); [M(Me₂Pz)_n] (where M = Co^II, Cu^I, Zn^II; Me₂Pz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolate) and [M(BrMe₂Pz)_n] (where M = Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^I, Zn^II; BrMe₂Pz = 3,5-dimethyl-4-bromopyrazolate). Vibrational spectra verified the presence of the anionic diazole and electronic spectra confirmed the stereochemistry about the metal centre. Variable temperature (360-90 K) magnetic measurements of the cobalt and copper chelates revealed strong antiferromagnetic interaction between the metal ions in the lattice. Data for the copper complexes were fitted to a Heisenberg (S= ) model for an infinite one-dimensional linear chain, yielding best fit values of J=–62––65cm^–1 andg = 2.02–2.18. Data for the cobalt complexes were fitted to an Ising (S= ) model with J=–4.62––11.7cm^–1 andg = 2.06–2.49.     

Chelated complexes of cadmium(II), cobalt(II), copper(II), mercury(II), nickel(II), uranyl(II) and zinc(II) with benzil bis(4-phenylthiosemicarbazone)

Summary Complexes of Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, Cd^II, Hg^II and UO ₂ ^II with benzil bis(4-phenylthiosemicarbazone), H₂BPT, have been synthesized and their structures assigned based on elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and spectroscopic measurements. The i.r. spectra suggest that the ligand behaves as a binegative quadridentate (NSSN) (Co^II, Cu^II, Hg^II and UO ₂ ^II complexes) or as a binegative quadridentate-neutral bidentate chelating agent (Ni^II, Zn^II and Cd^II complexes). Octahedral structures for the Co^II and Ni^II complexes and square-planar structure for the Cu^II complex are suggested on the basis of magnetic and spectral evidence. The crystal field parameters (Dq, B and _B) for the Co^II complex are calculated and agree fairly well with the values reported for known octahedral complexes. The ligand can be used for the microdetermination of Ni^II ions of concentration in the 0.4–6×10^–4 mol l^–1 range and the apparent formation constant for the species generated in solution has also been calculated.     

Synthesis of flexible ligands for assembling two metals in close proximity. Magnetic,electrochemical and spectral properties of binuclear copper (II) complexes with different exogenous bridging motifs

Binuclear Cu^II complexes having new flexible heptadentate ligands 2,6-bis{[bis(3,3-N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)amino]methyl}-4-bromophenol [HL¹], 2,6-bis(3,3-N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)amino]methyl}-4-methylphenol [HL²], and 2,6-bis{[bis(3,3-N,N-dimethylaminopropyl)amino]methyl}-4-methoxyphenol [HL³], capable of assembling two copper ions in close proximity have been synthesized. Comparisons of the charge-transfer (CT) features, observed in electronic spectra of these complexes, are correlated with the electronic effect on the aromatic ring of the ligand systems. Cyclic voltammetry has revealed the existence of two reduction couples,

Ternary complexes of copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) with nitrilotriacetic acid as a primary ligand and some phenolic acids as secondary ligands

Summary The formation of ternary complexes of the MAL^3– type [where M = Cu^II, Ni^II and Zn^II ; A = nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA); L = 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (1,2 HNA) and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid (2,1 HNA)] have been studied potentiometrically in 50% v/v aqueous — ethanol (25° and µ = 0.1). Under identical conditions the binary complexes of the 1,2- and 2,1-HNA ligands have also been examined. The values of mixed ligand formation constants K_MAL have been found to be lower than K_ML (first step formation constant of binary complexes) and even less than (second step formation constant of binary complexes).     

New unsymmetrical μ-phenoxo bridged binuclear copper(II) complexes

A series of binuclear Cu^II complexes [Cu₂XL] ⁿ⁺ having two copper(II) ions bridged by different motifs (X = OH^–, MeCO₂ ^–, or Cl^–) have been prepared using the ligands: H₂L¹ = 4-methyl-2-[N-(2-{dimethylamino}ethyl-N-methyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol, H₂L² = 4-nitro-2-[N-(2-{dimethylamino}ethyl-N-methyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol, H₂L³ = 4-methyl-2-[N-(2-{diethylamino}ethyl-N-ethyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol and H₂L⁴ = 4-nitro-2-[N-(2-{diethylamino}ethyl-N-ethyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(prolin-1-yl)methyl]phenol. The complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic, analytical, magnetic and electrochemical measurements. Cryomagnetic investigations (80–300 K) revealed anti-ferromagnetic exchange between the Cu^II ions (–2J in the range –50 to –182 cm^–1). The strength of anti-ferromagnetic coupling lies in the order: OAc > OH > Cl. Cyclic voltammetry revealed the presence of two redox couples, assigned to Cu^II/Cu^II/Cu^II/Cu^I/Cu^I/Cu^I. The first reduction potential is sensitive to electronic effects from the aromatic ring substituents and steric effect on the donor nitrogens (side arm) of the ligand systems.     

EPR study of weak exchange interactions in binuclear copper(ii) complexes with salicylaldehyde acyldihydrazones

The binuclear Cu^II complexes with bis(salicylidene)hydrazones of dicarboxylic acids and their analogs (H₄L) of composition [Cu₂L·2Py] in which the coordination polyhedra are linked by a polymethylene chain containing from one to eight CH₂ units were studied by EPR spectroscopy. Weak antiferromagnetic spin-spin exchange interactions between two Cu^II atoms were found in the complexes based on hydrazones of malonic, succinic, glutaric, and adipic acids. These exchange interactions are manifested in the EPR spectra of liquid solutions as seven-line hyperfine signals from two equivalent Cu^II atoms with the hyperfine coupling constant a _Cu 40·10^–4 cm^–1. The exchange ceases as the length of the polymetylene chain increases to five-eight units and the EPR spectra show a four-line signal with a _Cu 80·10^–4 cm^–1 typical of mononuclear complexes.     

Transition metal (disubstituted phenylazo)-barbituric and thiobarbituric acid complexes

Summary Disubstituted phenylazo-barbituric and thiobarbituric acid complexes derived from Co^II, Ni^II and Cu^II salts have been prepared. Electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements prove that the cobalt and nickel complexes have high-spin octahedral and square planar configurations, respectively. The copper-barbituric complexes have distorted octahedral geometry with a possible Cu–Cu interaction, whereas the corresponding thiobarbiturate complexes have square pyramidal distorted octahedral and tetragonal geometries. The room temperature e.s.r. spectra of the copper complexes show anisotropy with axial symmetry in tetragonal geometry, ground state as a result of Cu–Cu interaction. This dimeric structure disappears in DMSO solution. The intradimer super-exchange interaction is temperature dependent indicating a change of the geometry. In some complexes, the azo group coordinates to the metal, in others it does not. The denticity of the ligands has been determined.     

Nuclease activity of mixed ligand complexes of copper(II) with heteroaromatic derivatives and picoline

New picoline adducts with carbamic acid [(furan-2-yl)methylene]hydrazide–Cu^II (CFMH) (1); thiocarbamic acid [(furan-2-yl)methylene]hydrazide–Cu^II (TFMH) (2); carbamic acid [(furan-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazide–Cu^II (CFEH) (3), thiocarbamic acid [(furan-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazide–Cu^II (TFEH) (4); carbamic acid [(thiophene-2-yl) methylene]hydrazide–Cu^II (CTMH) (5), thiocarbamic acid [(thiophene-2-yl)methylene]hydrazide–Cu^II (TTMH) (6), carbamic acid [(thiophene-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazide–Cu^II (CTEH) (7), thiocarbamic acid [(thiophene-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazide–Cu^II (TTEH) (8) have been prepared and characterized by analytical, i.r., electronic, e.s.r. and c.v. spectral data. The electronic spectra suggest distorted octahedral geometry for all the picoline adducts. E.s.r. g values lie between 2.251–2.286 at l.n.t. All the adducts undergo a quasi-reversible one-electron reduction in the range +0.47 to +0.51 V versus s.c.e., attributable to the Cu^III/Cu^II redox couple. The electron transfer is much faster in the semicarbazone complexes than in the thiosemicarbazone complexes. All adducts showed increased nuclease activity in the presence of oxidant; the nuclease activity is compared with that of the parent copper(II) complexes.     

New heterometallic coordination polymers derived form chalcogenocyanates: synthesis,characterization and electrical properties

A series of conducting mixed-metallic coordination polymers: Cu₂Pb(SCN)₄, CuPb(SeCN)₄, Cu^II _0.50Cu^IPb (SCN·SeCN)₂, CuAg(SCN)₂, CuAg(SeCN)₂ and CuAg(SCN·SeCN) have been synthesized by the reaction of Cu and Pb^II or Ag^Initrates with KSCN or KSeCN, or both KSCN and KSeCN in H₂O. Of significance are the aerobic reactions which yield heterometallic complexes viaoxidation of SCN^– and SeCN^– into (SCN)₂ and (SeCN)₂ followed by quantitative reduction of Cu^II into Cu^I; in the case of CuPb(SeCN)₄ reduction of Cu^II into Cu^I is not observed, while in Cu^{II 0.50}Cu^IPb(SCN·SeCN)₂, Cu^II is partially reduced to Cu^I. These compounds have been characterized by elemental (C, N, S and Se) analyses, magnetic moment measurements, relevant spectroscopies (i.r., far i.r., Raman, u.v.–vis. and e.p.r.), powder X-ray diffraction pattern and conductivity technique. The v(CN) vibrations in 2162–2087cm^–1 and far i.r. bands (500–100cm^–1) corroborated by Raman bands are conclusive of the bridging (N, S/Se) mode and metal-NCS and metal-SCN/SeCN^– bonding respectively in the complexes. Room temperature magnetic moment, electronic absorption spectra and e.p.r. active/silent nature confirm the oxidation state of copper in these solids. Room temperature compressed pellet conductivities _rt, 10^–9to 10^–7Scm^–1 with activation energies, E _a=0.19–0.25eV and increase in the conductivity with increase in temperature in the 305–423K, range and decrease in conductivity with decrease in temperature in the 295–200K range, show their semiconductor properties.     

Synthesis,spectral, redox and antimicrobial activities of Schiff base complexes derived from 1-phenyl-2,3-dimethyl-4-aminopyrazol-5-one and acetoacetanilide

Novel terdentate neutral complexes of Cu^II, Ni^II, Co^II, Mn^II, Zn^II, Cd^II, Hg^II, VO^II, ZrO^II and UO₂ ^II have been prepared using a Schiff base derived from 1-phenyl-2,3-dimethyl-4-aminopyrazol-5-one (4-aminoantipyrine) and acetoacetanilide. The structural features of the chelates have been confirmed by microanalytical data, i.r., u.v.–vis., ¹H-n.m.r., e.s.r. and mass spectral techniques. Electronic absorption and i.r. spectra of the complexes indicate an octahedral geometry around the central metal ion, except for the VO^II and ZrO^II complexes which show square pyramidal geometry. The monomeric and neutral nature of the complexes are confirmed from their magnetic susceptibility and low conductance values. The cyclic voltammogram of the copper complex in MeCN at 300 K shows a quasi-reversible peak for the couple Cu^II/Cu^III at Ep_c = 0.47 and Ep_a = 0.61 V versus Ag/AgCl and two irreversible peaks for Cu^II Cu^I and Cu^I Cu⁰ reduction at Ep_c = –0.63 and – 0.89 V respectively. The e.s.r. spectra of copper and vanadyl complexes in DMSO solution at 300 K and 77 K were recorded and their salient features are reported. The molecular orbital coefficients (², ²) were calculated for complexes. The antimicrobial activity of the ligand and its complexes have been extensively studied on microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiela pneumoniae, Bacillus subtillis, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter ferundii and Salmonella typhi. Most of the complexes have higher activities than that of the free ligand.     

Preparation and properties of chiral complexes of Cu(II) with (S)-2-[(N-benzylprolyl)amino]benzaldehyde oxime,catalysts of azlactone hydrolysis

Two Cu(II) complexes of (S)-2-[(N-benzylprolyl)amino]benzaldehyde oxime (L) were isolated. The complex Cu[(LH^–1)(Cl)] is green, whereas Cu₂(LH₂)_–2 is red-brown. The structure of these complexes was proved by elemental analysis, IR and UV spectroscopy. The average molecular masses ( ) of the complexes in ethanol were determined by precision ebulliometry. The concentration dependence of the values of these complexes is consistent with the existence of the following equilibria in ethanol: Cu[(LH_–1)(Cl)] + EtOH Cu[(LH_–1)(HOEt)]⁺+Cl⁺ and [Cu₂(LH_–2)₂] + EtOH 2[Cu(LH-_–2)(HOEt)]. The equilibrium constants of these two reactions were determined. Both [Cu(LH_–1)(Cl)] and [Cu₂(LH_–2)₂] catalyze with equal efficiency the hydrolysis of 2-methyl-4-benzyl-5(4H)-oxazolone in aqueous solutions at a given pH. The UV spectra of both complexes in water at similar pH values are identical. Thus, both complexes must be interconvertible in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the absence of any electrophoretically mobile particles in neutral aqueous buffers is an indication that the complexes [Cu₂(LH^–2)₂] and [Cu(LH^–2)(H₂O)] are the predominant species in solution under these conditions.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2270–2275, October, 1991.     

Potentiometric and spectroscopic study of selenomethionine complexes with copper(II) and zinc(II) ions

Summary The stepwise stability constants of 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of selenomethionine (SeMet) with Cu^II and Zn^II ions have been determined in NaNO₃ (0.1m) supporting electrolyte by potentiometric titration at 25 °C. The overall log stability constant (logML₂ = [ML₂]/[M²⁺][L^–1]²) for Cu^II and Zn^II complexes are 14.50 and 8.75, respectively. Two new solids were prepared and identified by elemental microanalysis as (SeMet)₂Cu and (SeMet)₂Zn. I.r. and Raman spectral studies indicated metal coordination with the nitrogen and oxygen atoms of the amino acidato group of SeMet. The corresponding stretching bands were assigned at 341.1cm^– for Cu-O, 352.9 cm^– for Zn-O, 497.3 cm^– for Cu-N and 475.2 cm^– for Zn-N bonds.     

Soft template synthesis in copper(II)–dithiooxamide–methanal,copper(II)–dithiooxamide–ethanal and copper(II)–dithiooxamide–propanone triple systems in a copper(II)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix

Novel complexing processes in the Cu^II–dithiooxamide–methanal, Cu^II–dithiooxamide–ethanal and Cu^II–dithiooxamide–propanone triple systems proceeding under specific conditions, to copper(II)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix systems in contact with aqueous-alkaline (pH 12) solutions containing dithiooxamide and methanal, ethanal or propanone, have been studied. It has been shown that template synthesis leading to the formation of macrocyclic coordination compounds (2,8-dithio-3,7-diaza-5-oxanonandithioamide-1,9)copper(II), (2,8-dithio-3,7-diaza-4,6-dimethyl-5-oxanonandithio-amide-1,9)copper(II) and (4,4,6-trimethyl-2,8-dithio-3,7-diazanonen-6-dithioamide-1,9)copper(II), respectively, takes place under such conditions. Dithiooxamide, methanal, ethanal and propanone act as ligand synthons in these processes.     

Redox and antimicrobial studies of transition metal(II) tetradentate Schiff base complexes

Neutral tetradentate chelate complexes of Cu^II, Ni^II, Co^II, Mn^II, Zn^II and VO^II have been prepared in EtOH using Schiff bases derived from acetoacetanilido-4-aminoantipyrine and 2-aminophenol/2-aminothiophenol. Microanalytical data, magnetic susceptibility, i.r., u.v.–vis., ¹H-n.m.r. and e.s.r. spectral techniques were used to confirm the structures of the chelates. Electronic absorption and i.r. spectra of the complexes suggest a square-planar geometry around the central metal ion, except for VO^II and Mn^II complexes which have square-pyramidal and octahedral geometry respectively. The cyclic voltammetric data for the Cu^II complexes in MeCN show two waves for copper(II) copper(III) and copper(II) copper(I) couples, whereas the VO^II complexes in MeCN show two waves for vanadium(IV) vanadium(V) and vanadium(IV) vanadium(III) couples. The e.s.r. spectra of the Cu^II, VO^II and Mn^II complexes were recorded in DMSO solution and their salient features reported. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the investigated compounds was tested against the microorganisms such as Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Rhizoctonia bataicola. Most of the metal chelates have higher antimicrobial activity than the free ligands.     

A novel (E,E)-dioxime and its mono-, di- and trinuclear complexes bearing tetradentate octyl sulfanyl phenylamino substituents. Synthesis,characterization and electrochemical properties of its transition metal complexes

A new vic-dioxime, 13,14-bis-(hydroxyimino)-9,12,15,18-diazadithiaoctacosane, has been synthesized from 2-octylsulfanylaminobenzene and (E,E)-dichloroglyoxime. Mononuclear transition metal complexes of Ni^II, Cu^II, Co^II and Fe^II have been prepared and were found to have a metal–ligand ratio of 1:2. The synthesis of di- and trinuclear complexes was achieved with U^IVO₂ and Cu^II depending on the stoichiometry of the reactants. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-n.m.r., u.v.–vis, i.r., f.a.b.-m.s. and by cyclic voltammetry.     

Ion-exchange equilibria of metal ions and hydrogen ions on anilinium tin(IV) phosphate

Summary Ion-exchange equilibria of metal ions (Mn^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, Cd^II and Hg^II)/H⁺ systems have been studied at 30, 40, 50 and 60°C on anilinium tin(IV) phosphate (ATP) as a cation exchanger. The exchange isotherms were measured for both forward and reverse reactions with a solution of ionic strength 0.1 by the batch technique. The isotherms are S-shaped for each ion-exchange system. Selectivity coefficients vary linearly with the equivalent fraction of transition metal ion in the exchanger in the range from 0 to 0.6. The selectivity sequence of zero loading is: Zn^II <Mn^II<Cu^II<Cd^II<Hg^II. Overall and hypothetical (zero loading) thermodynamic data are evaluated.     

Metal-mediated DNA base pairing of easily prepared 2-oxo-imidazole-4-carboxylate nucleotides

Metal-mediated DNA base pairs, which consist of two ligand-type artificial nucleobases and a bridging metal ion, have attracted increasing attention in recent years as a different base pairing mode from natural base pairing. Metal-mediated base pairing has been extensively studied, not only for metal-dependent thermal stabilisation of duplexes, but also for metal assembly by DNA templates and construction of functional DNAs that can be controlled by metals. Here, we report the metal-mediated base paring properties of a novel 2-oxo-imidazole-4-carboxylate (Im^OC) nucleobase and a previously reported 2-oxo-imidazole-4-carboxamide (Im^OA) nucleobase, both of which can be easily derived from a commercially available uridine analogue. The Im^OC nucleobases were found to form stable Im^OC–Cu^II–Im^OC and Im^OC–Hg^II–Im^OC base pairs in the presence of the corresponding metal ions, leading to an increase in the duplex melting temperature by +20 °C and +11 °C, respectively. The Im^OC bases did not react with other divalent metal ions and showed superior metal selectivity compared to similar nucleobase design reported so far. The Im^OC–Cu^II–Im^OC base pair was much more stable than mismatch pairs with other natural nucleobases, confirming the base pair specificity in the presence of Cu^II. Furthermore, we demonstrated the quantitative assembly of three Cu^II ions inside a DNA duplex with three consecutive Im^OC–Im^OC pairs, showing great potential of DNA-template based Cu^II nanoarray construction. The study of easily-prepared Im^OC base pairs will provide a new design strategy for metal-responsive DNA materials.

A novel 2-oxo-imidazole-4-carboxylate (Im^OC) nucleobase, which can be easily derived from a commercially available uridine analogue, was found to form stable Cu^II- and Hg^II-mediated base pairs in DNA duplexes.     

Synthesis,spectroscopy and thermal properties of the nickel(II), palladium(II) and copper(II) complexes of bis(aminoalkyl)-oxamides (=LH2) including the crystal structure of Cu2L(NO3)2

Summary The synthesis of the Ni^II, Pd^II and Cu^II complexes of N, N-bis(aminoalkyl)oxamides (LH₂) is described and structures are proposed on the basis of their physical and spectroscopic properties. With Ni^II and Pd^II only one complex is formed with general formula NiL or PdL, characterised by coordination through two deprotonated amide N-atoms and two terminal NH₂ groups. With Cu^II it proved possible to obtain three structurally different compounds, depending on the pH, with general formulae Cu(LH₂)X₂, Cu₂(L)X₂ and CuL in which X=Cl, Br or NO₃. The structure of [Cu₂(C₈O₂N₄H₁₆](NO₃)₂ was solved by means ofx-ray diffraction; Mr=451.33, monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a=9.503(4), b=7.614(1), c=10.407(3) Å, =98.43(3)°, V=744.3(7)ų, Z=2, Dx=1.202 g cm^–3, =1.33 cm^–1, (MoK)=0.71073 Å, F(000)=520, room temperature, R=0.043, wR=0.047 for 1080 observed [I>-3(I)] not systematically absent reflections out of 1423 measurements and 137 variables. The compound has a conformational chair/boat disorder with 82% in the more stable chair form.