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.     

A study on the coordinative versatility of new N,S-donor macrocyclic ligands: XAFS, and Cu2+ complexation thermodynamics in solution

We investigated, both in the solid state and in aqueous solution, the coordination environment and stability behavior of four macrocyclic ligands (three N(2)S(2) and one N(3)S(2)) and of the corresponding Cu(II) complexes. The structural characterization in the solid state of the copper derivatives was performed by X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy. Copper is found to be 4-fold coordinated with a CuN(2)S(2) environment with different Cu-S distances depending on the size of the macrocyclic ring. The EXAFS technique has indicated that nitrogen and sulfur atoms are more preferable to oxygen atoms as donor systems, without the evidence of coordination of the carboxylic moieties to copper in the first shell. The joint EXAFS and XANES study of the copper(II) complex with the N(3)S(2) ligand confirms the 4-fold coordination with an additional, long Cu-N interaction. The Cu(2+) complexation constants for one ligand were determined in aqueous solution. The results indicate that the species [CuL], although isolated in the solid state, is not the most abundant at the pH of blood serum. Instead, at pH 7.4 the protonated [Cu(HL)](+) species was found to be the most relevant. The behaviour of the copper complexes in the presence of the strong copper chelating bioagent human serum albumin was also examined in order to gain information on the stability of these compounds in biological fluids.     

Structural and EPR studies on single-crystal and polycrystalline samples of copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with N2S2-based macrocyclic ligands

The properties of Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes with oxygen- or nitrogen-containing macrocycles have been extensively studied; however, less attention has been paid to the study of complexes containing sulfur atoms in the first coordination sphere. Herein we present the interaction between these two metal ions and two macrocyclic ligands with N2S2 donor sets. Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes with the pyridine-containing 14-membered macrocycles 3,11-dithia-7,17-diazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene (L) and 7-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-3,11-dithia-7,17-diazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene (L1) have been synthesized. The X-ray structural analysis of {[Co(ClO4)(H2O)(L)][Co(H2O)2(L)]}(ClO4)3 shows two different metal sites in octahedral coordination. The EPR spectra of powdered samples of this compound are typical of distorted six-coordinated Co(II) ions in a high-spin (S=3/2) configuration, with the ground state being S=1/2 (g1=5.20, g2=3.20, g3=1.95). The EPR spectrum of [Cu(ClO4)(L)](ClO4) was simulated assuming an axial g tensor (g1=g2=2.043, g3=2.145), while that of [Cu(ClO4)(L1)](ClO4) slightly differs from an axial symmetry (g1=2.025, g2=2.060, g3=2.155). These results are compatible with a Cu(II) ion in square-pyramidal coordination with N2S2 as basal ligands. Single-crystal EPR experiment performed on [Cu(ClO4)(L1)](ClO4) allowed determining the eigenvalues of the molecular g tensor associated with the copper site, as well as the two possible orientations for the tensor. On the basis of symmetry arguments, an assignment in which the eigenvectors are nearly along the Cu(II)-ligand bonds is chosen.     

Galactose oxidase models: solution chemistry, and phenoxyl radical generation mediated by the copper status

Galactose oxidase (GO) is an enzyme that catalyzes two-electron oxidations. Its active site contains a copper atom coordinated to a tyrosyl radical, the biogenesis of which requires copper and dioxygen. We have recently studied the properties of electrochemically generated mononuclear Cu(II)-phenoxyl radical systems as model compounds of GO. We present here the solution chemistry of these ligands under various copper and dioxygen statuses: N(3)O ligands first chelate Cu(II), leading, in the presence of base, to [Cu(II)(ligand)(CH(3)CN)](+) complexes (ortho-tert-butylated ligands) or [(Cu(II))(2)(ligand)(2)](2+) complexes (ortho-methoxylated ligands). Excess copper(II) then oxidizes the complex to the corresponding mononuclear Cu(II)-phenoxyl radical species. N(2)O(2) tripodal ligands, in the presence of copper(II), afford directly a copper(II)-phenoxyl radical species. Addition of more than two molar equivalents of copper(II) affords a Cu(II)-bis(phenoxyl) diradical species. The donor set of the ligand directs the reaction towards comproportionation for ligands possessing an N(3)O donor set, while disproportionation is observed for ligands possessing an N(2)O(2) donor set. These results are discussed in the light of recent results concerning the self-processing of GO. A path involving copper(II) disproportionation is proposed for oxidation of the cross-linked tyrosinate of GO, supporting the fact that both copper(I) and copper(II) activate the enzyme.     

几种过渡金属混配配合物的构型和量子化学研究

对几种五配位的过渡金属配合物晶体结构构型进行了详细讨论,通过扭曲角的计算证明它们均为正三角双锥(TBP)和正向四方锥(TP)的过渡构型。运用AM1量子化学计算方法,对混配体的一些物理化学参数,特别是配位N原子轨道对前线轨道的贡献进行了研究。结果表明,配位N原子轨道对前线轨道的贡献不大,而且也不影响配位构型的变化。计算还表明大多数以三(2-苯并咪唑亚甲基)胺为配体的过渡金属配合物均具有扭曲的三角双锥构型,而铜配合物的构型随协同配体的不同,在正三角双锥和正向四方锥之间的变化范围很大,这是由于铜离子较强的John-Teller效应造成的。     

Comparative study of donor atom effects on the thermodynamic and electron-transfer kinetic properties of copper(II/I) complexes with sexadentate macrocyclic ligands. [CuII/I([18]aneS4N2)] and [CuII/I([18]aneS4O2)

Studies have been conducted on the copper complexes formed with two sexadentate macrocyclic ligands containing four thioether sulfur donor atoms plus either two nitrogen or two oxygen donor atoms on opposing sides of the ring. The resulting two ligands, L, designated as [18]aneS(4)N(2) and [18]aneS(4)O(2), respectively, represent homologues of the previously studied Cu(ii/i) system with a macrocycle having six sulfur donor atoms, [18]aneS(6). Crystal structures of [Cu(II)([18]aneS(4)O(2))](ClO(4))(2) and [Cu(I)([18]aneS(4)O(2))]ClO(4) have been determined in this work. Comparison of the structures of all three systems reveals that the oxidized complexes are six coordinate with two coordinate bonds undergoing rupture upon reduction. However, the geometric changes accompanying electron transfer appear to differ for the three systems. The stability constants and electrochemical properties of both of the heteromacrocyclic complexes have been determined in acetonitrile and the Cu(II/I)L electron-transfer kinetics have been studied in the same solvent using six different counter reagents for each system. The electron self-exchange rate constants have then been calculated using the Marcus cross relationship. The results are compared to other Cu(II/I)L systems in terms of the effect of ligand geometric changes upon the overall kinetic behavior.     

Interaction of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with dibenzo-substituted macrocyclic ligands incorporating both symmetrically and unsymmetrically arranged N, O and S donors

The synthesis and characterisation of four 17-membered, dibenzo-substituted macrocyclic ligands incorporating unsymmetrical arrangements of their N(3)S(2), N(3)O(2) and N(3)OS (two ligands) donor atoms are described; these rings complete the matrix of related macrocyclic systems incorporating both symmetric and unsymmetric donor sets reported previously. The X-ray structures of three of the new macrocycles are reported. In two of the Cu(II) structures only three of the possible five donor atoms present in the corresponding macrocyclic ligand bind to the Cu(II) site, whereas all five donors are coordinated in each of the remaining complexes. The interaction of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) with the unsymmetric macrocycle series has been investigated by potentiometric (pH) titration in 95% methanol; X-ray structures of two nickel and three copper complexes of these ligands, each exhibiting 1:1 (M:L) ratios, have been obtained. The results are discussed in the context of previous results for these metals with the analogous 17-membered ring systems incorporating symmetrical arrangements of their donor atoms, with emphasis being given to both the influence of the donor atom set, as well as the donor atom sequence, on the nature of the resulting complexes.     

Cu(II), Eu(III)单核、双核隔室配合物的XPS研究

用X射线光电子能谱(XPS)研究了Cu(II),Eu(III)和配体6,11-二甲基-7,10-二氮杂十六-5,11-二烯-2,4,13,15-四酮(H~4daaen)形成的单核、双核隔室配合物的电子结构和成键特性;观察到配体分子中有明显的电荷转移现象;并对Cu2p~3~/~2伴峰现象进行了分析。     

Effect of conformational constraints on gated electron-transfer kinetics. 3. Copper(II/I) complexes with cis- and trans-cyclopentanediyl-1,4,8,11-tetrathiacyclotetradecane

Previous kinetic and electrochemical studies of copper complexes with macrocyclic tetrathiaethers-such as 1,4,8,11-tetrathiacyclotetradecane ([14]aneS4)-have indicated that electron transfer and the accompanying conformational change occur sequentially to give rise to a dual-pathway mechanism. Under appropriate conditions, the conformational change itself may become rate-limiting, a condition known as "gated" electron transfer. We have recently hypothesized that the controlling conformational change involves inversion of two donor atoms, which suggests that "gated" behavior should be affected by appropriate steric constraints. In the current work, two derivatives of [14]aneS4 have been synthesized in which one of the ethylene bridges has been replaced by either cis- or trans-1,2-cyclopentane. The resulting copper systems have been characterized in terms of their Cu(II/I)L potentials, the stabilities of their oxidized and reduced complexes, and their crystal structures. The electron self-exchange rate constants have been determined both by NMR line-broadening and by kinetic measurements of their rates of reduction and oxidation with six or seven counter reagents. All studies have been carried out at 25 degrees C, mu = 0.10 M (NaClO4 and/or Cu(ClO4)2), in aqueous solution. Both Cu(II/I) systems show evidence of a dual-pathway mechanism, and the electron self-exchange rate constants representative of both mechanistic pathways have been determined. The first-order rate constant for gated behavior has also been resolved for the Cu(I)(trans-cyclopentane-[14]aneS4) complex, but only a limiting value can be established for the corresponding cis-cyclopentane system. The rate constants for both systems investigated in this work are compared to values previously determined for the Cu(II/I) systems with the parent [14]aneS4 macrocycle and its derivatives involving phenylene and cis- or trans-cyclohexane substituents. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of the fused rings on the probable conformational changes accompanying the electron-transfer process.     

Acetylacetonate bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes of copper and nickel: towards new copper radiopharmaceuticals

A series of copper(II) and nickel(II) 1,3-bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complexes have been synthesised by the reaction of the metal acetates with pyrazoline proligands. In each case the complexes have an overall neutral charge with a dianionic ligand. The copper 1,3-bis(4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazonato complex has been characterised by X-ray crystallography, which shows the copper is in an essentially square-planar symmetric N(2)S(2) environment. The nickel 1,3-bis(4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazonato) and nickel 1,3-bis(4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazonato) complexes have been characterised by X-ray crystallography and show that in these cases the nickel is in a distorted square-planar environment, but the bonding mode of the ligands is unusual; the nickel binds to one of the aza-methinic nitrogen atoms and one hydrazinic nitrogen, creating one five-membered N-N-C-S-Ni chelate ring and one four-membered N-C-S-Ni chelate ring. Interestingly, the X-ray structure of the ethyl analogue [1,3-bis(4-ethyl-3-thiosemicarbazonato)nickel(II)] shows that in this case the nickel is symmetrically coordinated in the usual manner. The nickel complexes are diamagnetic and the different coordination modes are confirmed in solution by NMR spectroscopy. The complexes are susceptible to oxidation in air and a nickel complex, in which the central methylene carbon has been oxidised, has been characterised by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Electrochemical measurements show that the copper complexes undergo a reversible one-electron reduction at biologically accessible potentials.     

Dioxadiaza- and trioxadiaza-macrocycles containing one dibenzofuran unit selective for cadmium

The binding properties of dioxadiaza- ([17](DBF)N2O2) and trioxadiaza- ([22](DBF)N2O3), macrocyclic ligands containing a rigid dibenzofuran group (DBF), to metal cations and structural studies of their metal complexes have been carried out. The protonation constants of these two ligands and the stability constants of their complexes with Ca2+, Ba2+, and Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+, were determined at 298.2 K in methanol-water (1:1, v/v), and at ionic strength 0.10 mol dm-3 in KNO3. The values of the protonation constants of both ligands are similar, indicating that no cavity size effect is observed. Only mononuclear complexes of these ligands with the divalent metal ions studied were found, and their stability constants are lower than expected, especially for the complexes of the macrocycle with smaller cavity size. However, the Cd2+ complex with [17](DBF)N2O2 exhibits the highest value of stability constant for the whole series of metal ions studied, indicating that this ligand reveals a remarkable selectivity for cadmium(II) in the presence of all the metal ions studied, except copper(II), indicating that this ligand reveals a remarkable selectivity for cadmium(II) in the presence of the mentioned metal ions. The crystal structures of H2[17](DBF)N2O3(2+) (diprotonated form of the ligand) and of its cadmium complex were determined by X-ray diffraction. The Cd2+ ion fits exactly inside the macrocyclic cavity exhibiting coordination number eight by coordination to all the donor atoms of the ligand, and additionally to two oxygen atoms from one nitrate anion and one oxygen atom from a water molecule. The nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with the two ligands were further studied by UV-vis-NIR and the copper(II) complexes also by EPR spectroscopic techniques in solution indicating square-pyramidal structures and suggesting that only one nitrogen and oxygen donors of the ligands are bound to the metal. However an additional weak interaction of the second nitrogen cannot be ruled out.     

New pyridine carboxamide ligands and their complexation to copper(II). X-Ray crystal structures of mono-, di, tri- and tetranuclear copper complexes

Seven new pyridine dicarboxamide ligands H2L(1-7) have been synthesised from condensation reactions involving pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2dipic), pyridine-2,6-dicarbonyl dichloride or 2,6-diaminopyridine with heterocyclic amine or carboxylic acid precursors. Crystallographic analyses of N,N'-bis(2-pyridyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide monohydrate (H2L8 x H2O), N,N'-bis[2-(2-pyridyl)methyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide and N,N'-bis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide monohydrate revealed extensive intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. 2,6-Bis(pyrazine-2-carboxamido)pyridine (H2L6) and 2,6-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)pyridine (H2L7) reacted with copper(II) acetate monohydrate to give tricopper(II) complexes [Cu3(L)2(mu2-OAc)2]. X-Ray crystallography confirmed deprotonation of the amidic nitrogen atoms and that the (L6,7)2- ligands and acetate anions hold three copper(II) ions in approximately linear fashion. H2L8. Reacted with copper(II) tetrakis(pyridine) perchlorate to give [Cu(L8)(OH2)]2 x 2H2O, in which (L8)2- was tridentate through the nitrogen atoms of the central pyridine ring and the deprotonated carboxamide groups at one copper centre, with one of the terminal pyridyl rings coordinating to the other copper atom in the dimer. The corresponding reaction using H2L7 gave [Cu3(L7)2(py)2][ClO4]2, which transformed during an attempted recrystallisation from ethanol under aerobic conditions to a tetracopper(II) complex [Cu4(L7)2(L7-O)2].     

Novel oxygen chirality induced by asymmetric coordination of an ether oxygen atom to a metal center in a series of sugar-pendant dipicolylamine copperII complexes

Six sugar-pendant 2,2'-dipicolylamine (DPA) ligands (L1-3 and L'1-3) have been prepared. OH-protected and unprotected D-glucose, D-mannose, and D-xylose were attached to a DPA moiety via an O-glycoside linkage. X-ray crystallography of the copper(II) complexes (1-5) with these ligands revealed that the anomeric oxygen atom is coordinated to the metal center in the solid state, generating a chiral center at the oxygen atom. The CD spectra of these copper complexes in methanol or aqueous solution exhibit Cotton effects in the d-d transition region, which indicates that the ether oxygen atoms remain coordinated to the metal center and the oxygen-atom chirality is preserved even in solution. For complexes 1 and 2, the inverted oxygen-atom chirality and chelate-ring conformation in the solid state are well correlated with the mirror-image CD spectra in methanol solution. The concomitant inversion of the asymmetric configuration around the copper center was also observed in a methanol solution of complex 3 and a pyridine solution of complex 2. The square-pyramidal/octahedral copper(II) centers also exhibited characteristic absorption and CD spectra.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of mixed-ligand and polymeric dinuclear transition metal complexes with bis-acylhydrazone tetradentate ligands and 1,10-phenanthroline

Two types of dinuclear copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes with two tetradentate N2O2 donor ligands 1,4-bis(1-anthranoylhydrazonoethyl)benzene (L1), 1,4-bis(1-salicyloylhydrazonoethyl)benzene (L2) and N,N'-bidentate heterocyclic base [1,10-phenonthroline (phen)] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, UV-vis electronic absorption spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The reaction of metal(II) acetates with the solution containing ligand and 1,10-phenonthroline in methanol gives mixed-ligand dinuclear metal(II) complexes with general formula [M2L(phen)2]Cl2 (L=L1 or L2), whereas, the ligands react with metal(II) acetates to form polymeric dinuclear complexes with general formula [(M2L2)n] (L=L1 or L2). In the complexes, the ligands act as dianionic tetradentate and coordination takes place in the enol tautomeric form with the enolic oxygen and azomethine nitrogen atoms while the phenolic hydroxyl and amino groups of aroylhydrazone moiety do not participate in coordination. The effect of varying pH and solvent on the absorption behavior of both ligands and complexes has been investigated.     

Silver(I) Complexes with Nitrogen-Containing Noncyclic, Macrocyclic, and Macrobicyclic Ligands in Propylene Carbonate

Stability constants and thermodynamic data for complex formation of silver(I) with noncyclic, macrocyclic, and macrobicyclic ligands have been measured in propylene carbonate using potentiometric and calorimetric methods. All ligands containing two nitrogen donor atoms form extremely stable complexes. Only if substituents reduce the basicity of the nitrogen donor atoms, the stability of the complexes decreases drastically. However, the cryptand (221) forms the most stable complex of all ligands examined. In this case, the dimensions of the ligand cavity and of the cation are nearly identical.     

Tetradentate diamido-bis-sulfide ligands on the base of o-aminobenzenethiol and their complexation with NiII,CoII, CuII chlorides in DMF solution and on the gold electrode surface

A series of cyclic and acyclic diamido-bis-sulfide ligands were synthesized by N-acylation of 1,2-bis(2-aminophenylthio)ethane and 1,4-bis(2-aminophenylthio)butane with acetic, malonic, and 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid chlorides or esters. The complexation of obtained ligands with Cu^II, Ni^II, and Co^II salts in solution and on the gold electrode surface was studied. The formation of complexes of these ligands with copper(II) chloride in DMF is irreversible and accompanied by deprotonation of the amide nitrogen atoms.     

Copper(II)–nickel(II) complexes of novel 1,9-dioxa-3,6-dithiacyclotridecane-10,12-dione and 1,4-dioxa-7,10-dithiacyclododecane-2,3-dione ligands

1,9-Dioxa-3,6-dithiacyclotridecane-10,12-dione (L¹), and 1,4-dioxa-7,10-dithiacyclododecane-2,3-dione, (L²), two novel ligands, and their mono- and di-nuclear copper(II) and/or nickel(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r., i.r., magnetic moments and mass spectral studies. Elemental analyses, stochiometric and spectroscopic data on the complexes indicate that the metal ions are coordinated to the nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms and the data support the proposed structure for the diones and their mono–dinuclear copper(II) complexes. Moreover, copper(II) complexes of the dione ligands have a 1:1 metal:ligand ratio.     

Spectral,Thermal, and Antimicrobial Studies on the Copper(II), Zinc(II), Cadmium(II), and Mercury(II) Chelates of a New Antimetabolite–5-Dimethylaminomethyl-2-Thiouracil

Owing to the presence of multiple donor atoms such as N(1)H, C(2)SH, N(3), C(4)O, and CNC in the newly synthesized antimetabolite, namely, 5-dimethylaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, preferences of the hetero-atoms for coordination with metal ions like Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) were explored. The complexes isolated were characterized by chemical analysis and spectroscopic techniques. The ligand behaves as a bidentate/tetradentate chelating ligand. Invariably in all the complexes, one of the donor atoms is the soft C(2)SH. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the thermal decomposition of the metal chelates were evaluated using (Coats–Redfern) and (Madhusudanan–Krishnan–Ninan) equations. The antimicrobial studies show that the copper(II) complexes are more active than the other complexes.     

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.     

Redox-induced ligand reorganization and helicity inversion in copper complexes of N,N-dialkylmethionine derivatives

N,N'-Dipicolyl, bis(stilbylvinylpyridylmethyl), and diquinaldyl methionine derivatives form stable Cu(II) complexes with metal ligation by three nitrogen atoms and the carboxylate. One-electron reduction results in the exchange of carboxylate for sulfide in the complexes. This ligand reorganization is accompanied by inversion of the helical orientation of the two arms containing nitrogen heterocycles, resulting in nearly mirror image circular dichroism spectra. This paper provides details for the synthesis of these complexes and the evidence for the remarkable stereochemical interconversion that accompanies the reduction reaction. Detailed analysis of the electronic spectra of the ligands and metal complexes is provided along with X-ray crystallographic structures of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of the N,N'-dipicolylmethionine complexes.