Crystal structures,electrochemical properties,antioxidant screening and in vitro cytotoxic studies on four novel Cu(II) complexes of bidentate Schiff base ligands derived from 2-methoxyethylamine

Four novel Schiff base ligands and their copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L¹)₂] (1), [Cu(L²)₂] (2), [Cu(L³)₂] (3), and [Cu(L⁴)₂] (4), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The ligands were synthesized from the condensation of 2-methoxyethylamine with various salicylaldehyde derivatives (x-salicylaldehyde for HLⁿ, x = H (n = 1), 5-Br (n = 2), 3-OMe (n = 3), and 4-OMe (n = 4)). The molecular structures of 1, 2, and 3 were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The redox behavior studies of the complexes in acetonitrile display the electronic effects of the groups on the redox potential. The antioxidant activity of the Schiff base ligands and their Cu(II) complexes was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method and FRAP assay. Furthermore, the in vitro anticancer activity of compounds was screened, including MTT and migration assays against gastric cancer cell line (MKN-45). The results show that all ligands and complexes have antioxidant and anticancer activity in a concentration-dependent way.     

Phase transformation in a nanostructured M300 maraging steel obtained by SPS of mechanically alloyed powders

New complexes of type [Cu(HTBG)₂]Cl₂ (1), [Cu(TBG)₂]·3H₂O (2) and [CuL]·nH₂O (3) L:L¹, n = 2 and (4) L:L², n = 1 (HTBG: 2-tolylbiguanide, L¹ and L²: ligands resulted from 2-tolylbiguanide, ammonia/hydrazine and formaldehyde one pot condensation) were synthesised and characterised. The features of complexes have been assigned from microanalytical, IR and UV–Vis data. Redox behaviour was established by cyclic voltammetry. The in vitro qualitative and quantitative antimicrobial activity assays showed that the complexes exhibited variable antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains isolated from the hospital environment. The thermal analyses have evidenced the thermal intervals of stability and also the thermodynamic effects that accompany them. After water elimination, complexes have a similar thermal behaviour. Processes as water elimination, melting, chloride anion removal as well as oxidative degradation of the organic ligands were observed. The final product of decomposition was copper (II) oxide.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and electrochemical studies of nickel(II), copper(II) and cobalt(III) complexes of some ONS donor ligands derived from thiosemicarbazide and S-alkyl/aryl dithiocarbazates

Four tridentate ONS ligands, namely 2-hydroxyacetophenonethiosemicarbazone (H₂L¹), the 2-hydroxyacetophenone Schiff base of S-methyldithiocarbazate (H₂L²), the 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde Schiff base of S-methyldithiocarbazate (H₂L³), and the 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde Schiff base of S-benzyldithiocarbazate (H₂L⁴), and their complexes of general formula [Ni(HL¹)₂], [ML] (M?=?Ni^II or Cu^II; L?=?L¹, L², L³ and L⁴), [Co(HL)(L); L?=?L¹, L², L³ and L⁴] and [ML(B)] (M?=?Ni^II or Cu^II; L?=?L² and L⁴; B?=?py, PPh₃) have been prepared and characterized by physico-chemical techniques. Spectroscopic evidence indicates that the Schiff bases behave as ONS tridentate chelating agents. X-ray crystallographic structure determination of [NiL²(PPh₃)] and [CuL⁴(py)] indicates that these complexes have an approximately square-planar structure with the Schiff bases acting as dinegatively charged ONS tridentate ligands coordinating via the phenoxide oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and thiolate sulfur atoms. The electrochemical properties of the complexes have been studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Dinuclear Schiff-base copper(II) complexes with various bridging groups

Three new centrosymmetric dinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂Cl₂(L¹)₂] (1), [Cu₂(μ _1,3-NCS)₂(L²)₂] (2), and [Cu₂(μ _1,1-N₃)₂(L³)₂] (3), where L¹, L², and L³ are the deprotonated forms of the Schiff bases 1-[(2-propylaminoethylimino)methyl]naphthalen-2-ol (HL¹), 1-[(3-methylaminopropylimino)methyl]naphthalen-2-ol (HL²), and 2-[(2-isopropylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol (HL³), respectively, have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Each Cu is coordinated by the three donors of the Schiff bases and by two bridging groups, forming a square-pyramidal geometry.     

Synthesis,spectral studies,and antimicrobial activity of binary and ternary Cu(II), Ni(II), and Fe(III) complexes of new hexadentate Schiff bases derived from 4,6-diacetylresorcinol and amino acids

Two new hexadentate N₂O₄ donor Schiff bases, H₄L¹ and H₄L², were synthesized by condensation of 4,6-diacetylresorcinol with glycine and alanine, respectively. The structures of the ligands were elucidated by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, electronic, and mass spectra. Reactions of the Schiff bases with copper(II), nickel(II), and iron(III) nitrates in 1 : 2 molar ratio gave binuclear metal complexes and, in the presence of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) or 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) as secondary ligands (L′), mixed-ligand complexes in two molar ratios 1 : 2 : 2 and 1 : 2 : 1 (L¹/L² : M : L′). The complexes were characterized by elemental and thermal analyses, IR, electronic, mass, and ESR spectral studies, as well as conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The spectroscopic data reveal that the Schiff-base ligands were dibasic or tetrabasic hexadentate ligands. The coordination sites with the metal ions are two azomethine nitrogens, two oxygens of phenolic groups, and two oxygens of carboxylic groups. Copper(II) complexes were octahedral and square planar while nickel(II) and iron(III) complexes were octahedral. The Schiff bases, H₄L¹ and H₄L², and some of their metal complexes showed antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas phaseolicola) bacteria and antifungal activity towards the fungi Fusarium oxysporium and Aspergillus fumigatus.     

Complexes of sterically-hindered diaminophosphinothiolate ligands with Rh(I), Ni(II) and Pd(II)

Two new sterically demanding diaminophosphinothiolate ligands (HL¹ and HL²) have been prepared and the X-ray crystal structure of the Li salt of HL² has been determined. The complex [Pd(L¹)₂] was fully characterized, but in contrast to other phosphinothiolates, complexes with the M(L)₃ stoichiometry could not be prepared. Reaction of LH¹ with Ni(II) led to cleavage of the arythiolate group and isolation of a thiolate bridged dimer, confirmed by an X-ray crystal structure. The Rh(I) complexes [Rh(nbd)L] (L = L¹, L²) were characterized including an X-ray structure.     

Copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes of 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-arylhydrazones

Summary Copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) perchlorate complexes of 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(p-nitrophenyl-hydrazone) (HL¹), 5,5-dimethyl-cyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(p-chlorophenylhydrazone) (HL²), 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(o-chlorophenylhydrazone) (HL⁴), 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(o-methylphenyl-hydrazone) (HL⁵) and 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2,3-trione-2-(m-methylphenylhydrazone) (HL⁶) have been prepared, and characterized using analytical, spectral and magnetic measurements. The data reveal that the reaction of Cu(ClO₄)₂ (1 mol) in EtOH, with all ligands, produces complexes of the type CuL(ClO₄)(H₂O).nH₂O. Nickel(II) and cobalt(II) perchlorates react only with HL¹ and HL² to produce the complexes ML(ClO₄)(H₂O)₃ (where M = Ni^II, L = L^– and L², M = Co^II, L = L¹) and Co(HL₂)₂-(ClO₄)₂.2H₂O. The spectral data show that the ligands behave as monobasic bidentate in their azo forms, except HL² which reacts with cobalt(II) as a neutral bidentate ligand in its hydrazone form.     

Thermal behaviour of new Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with macrocyclic ligands functionalised with 1,2,4-triazole

The investigations concerning the thermal behaviour of a series of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of type [NiLCl₂]·mH₂O ((1) L:L₁, m=6; (3) L:L₂, m=4) or [CuLCl]_nCl _n ·mnH₂O ((2) L:L₁, m=6; (4) L:L₂, m=4) are presented. The ligands L(1) and L(2) have been synthesised by template condensation of 3,6-diazaoctane-1,8-diamine or 1,2-diaminoethane with formaldehyde and 2-amino-4H-1,2,4-triazole. The bonding and stereochemistry of the complexes have been characterised by IR, electronic and magnetic studies at room temperature. The in vitro qualitative and quantitative antimicrobial activity assays showed that the complexes exhibited variable antimicrobial activity against planktonic as well as biofilm embedded Gram-negative, Gram-positive and fungal strains. The thermal behaviour provided confirmation of the complexes composition as well as the number and nature of water molecules and the intervals of thermal stability.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and substituent effects of two copper(II) complexes with benzaldehyde ortho-oxime ligands

Two new Cu(II) complexes, [Cu(L¹)₂] (1) and [Cu(L²)₂] (2) (HL¹ = (E)-3-bromo-5-chloro-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde O-methyl oxime; HL² = (E)-3-bromo-5-chloro-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde O-ethyl oxime), have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. X-ray crystallographic analyses show that complexes 1 and 2 have similar structures, consisting of one Cu(II) atom and two L⁻ units. In both complexes, the Cu(II) atom, lying on an inversion center, is four-coordinated in a trans-CuN₂O₂ square-planar geometry by two phenolate O and two oxime N atoms from two symmetry-related N,O-bidentate oxime ligands. Moreover, both complexes form an infinite three-dimensional supramolecular structure involving intermolecular C–H···Br hydrogen bonds and π···π stacking interactions between the metal chelate rings and aromatic rings. Substituent effects in the two complexes are discussed.     

Synthesis,structures, and urease inhibition of nickel(II), zinc(II), and cobalt(II) complexes with similar hydroxy-rich Schiff bases

Four new nickel(II), zinc(II), and cobalt(II) complexes, [Zn(L¹)₂]?·?H₂O (1), [Ni(L¹)₂]?·?H₂O (2), [Ni(L²)₂] (3), and [Co(L³)₂]?·?H₂O (4), derived from hydroxy-rich Schiff bases 2-{[1-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol (HL¹), 2-{[1-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}-2-ethylpropane-1,3-diol (HL²), and 2-{[1-(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol (HL³) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray determination. Each metal in the complexes is six-coordinate in a distorted octahedral coordination. The Schiff bases coordinate to the metal atoms through the imino N, phenolate O, and one hydroxyl O. In the crystal structures of HL¹ and the complexes, molecules are linked through intermolecular O–H···O hydrogen bonds, forming 1-D chains. The urease inhibitory activities of the compounds were evaluated and molecular docking study of the compounds with the Helicobacter pylori urease was performed.     

Mixed-ligand Copper(II) Complexes: Investigation of their Spectroscopic, Catalysis, Antimicrobial and Potentiometric Properties

Schiff base ligands HL¹–HL⁶ have been prepared from the reaction of 2,6-diformyl-4-t-butylphenol and 2,6-di-formyl-4-methylphenol with various aromatic amines in ethanolic solution. The Schiff base ligands 2,2′-dipyridine (dp) mixed-ligand Cu^II complexes have been obtained. Mixed-ligand Cu^II complexes containing the dp ligand have ionic nature and they conduct the electricity in solution media. The complexes have been obtained in two different forms: one of them is [Cu₂(Lⁿ)Cl₃] (n: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) and other complexes have the general formula [Cu₂(Lⁿ)(dp)₂]3Cl. Ligands and their complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, electronic spectra, molar conductance, ¹H(¹³C)-n.m.r. and mass spectral data. Their stoichiometric protonation constants have been determined potentiometrically in dioxan using a combined pH electrode at 25 °C, under a nitrogen atmosphere. For the calculation of the protonation constants, PKAS computer programme has been used. The effects of the substituents on the protonation constants and the additivities of these effects are discussed. The antimicrobial activity studies of the ligands and their complexes have been studied against the Bacillus megaterium, Micrococcus luteus, Corynebavterium xenosis, Enterococcuc faecalis, bacteria and Saccoramyces cerevisia, yeast. The catalytic properties of the complexes have been studied on the ascorbic acid, catechol and 2,6-di-t-butylphenol substrates. Thermal behaviour of the complexes has been studied by thermal techniques.     

Synthesis and characterization of new lead(II) complexes of Schiff bases derived from amino acids

Some new lead(II) complexes of the general formula Pb(L)₂, where HL = Schiff bases derived from the condensation of isatin and chloroisatin with phenylalanine (HL¹/HL⁴), isoleucine (HL²/HL⁵), and glycine (HL³/HL⁶), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, electronic, infrared, and multinuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C) studies. In all cases, the Pb atom is in a four-coordinated environment with two bidentate deprotonated Schiff bases binding as monoanionic ligands through the oxygen and azomethine nitrogen. The 3D molecular modeling and analysis for bond lengths and bond angles have also been carried out for one of the representative compounds, [Pb(L³)₂] to substantiate the proposed structures.     

Thermal Analysis of Fe(III) Complexes with Salicylaldehyde Semi-, Thiosemi- and S-methylisothiosemi-carbazones

The paper describes the results of differential thermal analysis of the octahedral Fe(III) complexes of the general formula [Fe(HLⁿ)₂]Cl and Fe(HL³)L³, as well as of the corresponding ligands H₂Lⁿ (H₂Lⁿ — tridentate salicylaldehyde semi thiosemi- and S-methylisothiosemi-carabazones with n=1, 2 and 3 respectively). The decomposition of the complexes involving sulphur-containing ligands (H₂L² and H₂L³) starts with sulphur elimination. In case of the complexes [Fe(HL²)]Cl and [Fe(HL³)]Cl sulphur evolves independently, whereas with Fe(HL³)L³ it is eliminated within the SCH₃ group. In the former case, sulphur elimination takes place at the same temperature for both complexes. The change in the coordination mode, being a consequence of the replacement of O by S, has no essential effect on thermal stability of the coordination polyhedron. The complexes involving ONN coordination, realized with the H₂L³ ligand, exhibit a comparatively highest thermal stability of the coordination polyhedron.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Variation in coordinative property of two different N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> donor Schiff base ligands with nickel(II) and cobalt(III) ions: characterisation and single crystal structure elucidation

A nickel(II) and a cobalt(III) complex of two different potentially tetradentate Schiff bases with different binding modes have been synthesised. The nickel(II) complex [NiL¹] · CH₃OH (1) was formed, on reacting the metal salt with a perfectly symmetrical N₂O₂ tetradentate Schiff base ligand H ₂ L ¹ , which is the 1:2 condensation product of 1,3-diamino propane and 2-hydroxyacetophenone. The cobalt(III) complex [Co(HL²)₃] · (ClO₄)₃ · H₂O (2) was synthesised using an asymmetric N₂O₂ tetradentate Schiff base ligand HL ² on condensing N,N-dimethyl-1,3-diamino propane with o-vanillin in 1:1 mmol ratio. Although both Schiff bases are N₂O₂ functionalised, they showed variation in their coordinative property with nickel(II) and cobalt(III) ions. Both the complexes were characterised by IR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry and their single crystal structures clearly indicate that 1 is a mononuclear species whereas 2 is a hydrogen-bonded dimer.     

Zinc(II) and mercury(II) complexes with Schiff bases: syntheses,spectral, and structural characterization

Schiff bases o-vanilidene-1-aminobenzene (HL¹) and o-vanilidene-2-methyl-1-aminobenzene (HL²) lead to the formation of mono- and bis-[(Cl)Zn(L¹)] (1), [(Cl)Zn(L²)] (2), [(Cl)Hg(L¹)] (3), [(Cl)Hg(L²)] (4), [Zn(L¹)₂] (5), [Zn(L²)₂] (6), [Hg(L¹)₂] (7), and [Hg(L²)₂] (8) complexes by reactions of zinc(II) and mercury(II) chlorides in different mole ratio(s). Complexes 1–8 have been characterized by elemental analyses (Zn, Hg, C, H, Cl, and N), melting point and spectral (IR, ¹H-NMR), PXRD, molar conductivity measurement, and TGA. Conductivity measurements suggest non-electrolytes. Structural compositions have been assigned by mass spectral studies. Four-coordinate geometry may be assigned to these complexes tentatively. Structural study reveals that in 1–4 two metal centers are held together by two bridged (μ₂-Cl) chlorides, whereas 5–8 contain two bidentate Schiff-base ligands around one metal-producing monomers.     

Synthesis,structure, and solvent-extraction properties of tridentate oxime ligands and their cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) complexes

Synthesis of four different types of ligands Ar[COC(NOH)R] _n (Ar = biphenyl, n = 1, HL¹; Ar = biphenyl, n = 2, H₂L²; Ar = diphenylmethane, n = 1, HL³; Ar = diphenylmethane, n = 2, H₂L⁴; R = furfurylamine in all ligands) and their dinuclear Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ complexes is reported herein. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ICP-OES, FT-IR spectra, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The ligands were further characterized by ¹H NMR. The results suggest that dinuclear complexes of HL¹ and HL³ have a metal to ligand mole ratio of 2: 2 and dinuclear complexes H₂L² and H₂L⁴ have a metal to ligand mole ratio of 2: 1. Square pyramidal or octahedral structures are proposed for complexes of oxime ligands. Furthermore, extraction abilities of the four ligands were also evaluated in chloroform using selected transition metal picrates such as Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺. The ligands show strong binding ability towards Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions.     

Synthesis,characterization, and crystal structure of three cobalt(II) complexes with Schiff bases derived from rimantadine

By condensation of rimantadine and substituted salicylaldehyde, three new Schiff bases, HL¹, HL² and HL³, were synthesized. Then, a mixture of one of the new ligands and cobalt(II) chloride hexahydrate in ethanol led to 1, 2, and 3, respectively. These complexes were characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, infrared spectra, molar conductance, thermal analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, Pbcn space group; each asymmetric unit consists of one cobalt(II) ion, two deprotonated ligands, and one lattice water. The central cobalt is four coordinate via two nitrogens and two oxygens from the corresponding Schiff base ligand, forming a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Complexes 2 and 3 crystallize in the monoclinic system, P2₁/c space group; each asymmetric unit consists of one cobalt(II), two corresponding deprotonated ligands, one lattice water, and one methanol. The central cobalt is also four-coordinate via two nitrogens and two oxygens from the corresponding Schiff base ligand, forming a distorted tetrahedral geometry.     

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of aminothiazole‐derived Schiff base ligands: Synthesis,characterization, antibacterial and cytotoxicity evaluation,bovine serum albumin binding and density functional theory studies

Transition metal complexes of type M(L)₂(H₂O)_x were synthesized, where L is deprotonated Schiff base 2,4‐dihalo‐6‐(substituted thiazol‐2‐ylimino)methylphenol derived from the condensation of aminothiazole or its derivatives with 2‐hydroxy‐3‐halobenzaldehyde and M = Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ (x = 0 for Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺; x = 2 for Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺). The synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes were thoroughly characterized using infrared, ¹H NMR, electronic and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies, elemental analysis, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal that the bidentate ligands form complexes having octahedral geometry around Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ metal ions while the geometry around Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ metal ions is four‐coordinated. The geometries of newly synthesized Schiff bases and their metal complexes were fully optimized in Gaussian 09 using 6–31 + g(d,p) basis set. Fluorescence quenching data reveal that Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes bind more strongly to bovine serum albumin in comparison to Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes. The ligands and their complexes were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (Gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (Gram positive) and cytotoxicity against lever hepatocellular cell line HepG2.     

Three new coordination complexes of cobalt(III), manganese(II), and copper(II) with N,N,O-donor hydrazone ligands: syntheses and structural characterizations

Three new coordination complexes, 2{[Co(L¹)₂]ClO₄} · 0.5CH₃OH (1), [Mn(L²)₂] (2), and [Cu(HL²)(L²)]ClO₄ · 2H₂O (3) have been synthesized from two tridentate N,N,O-donor hydrazone ligands HL¹, 2-acetylpyridine-salicyloylhydrazone, and HL², 2-benzoylpyridine-salicyloylhydrazone, respectively and thoroughly characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis, electrochemical, and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. Structures of the complexes have been unequivocally established by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Structural analysis reveals that 1 consists of two chemically similar but crystallographically independent cationic [Co(L¹)₂]⁺ units and 2 consists of a neutral [Mn(L²)₂] molecule while 3 consists of a cationic [Cu(HL²)(L²)]⁺ unit. Metal ions display distorted octahedral geometry in 1 and 2 while in 3 it shows a distorted square pyramidal geometry. Ligand conformations around the metal ions are stabilized by the presence of intra-ligand hydrogen bonding in all the complexes. Structure of 3 reveals that a perchlorate ion linked to the complex by hydrogen bonding via a water molecule.     

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of unsymmetrical tetradentate reduced Schiff base ligands

Two new reduced Schiff base ligands, [HL¹ = 4-{2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-amino]-ethylimino}-pentan-2-one and HL² = 4-[2-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylamino)-ethylimino]-pentan-2-one] have been prepared by reduction of the corresponding tetradentate unsymmetrical Schiff bases derived from 1:1: 1 condensation of 1,2-ethanediamine, acetylacetone and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde/2-acetyl pyridine. Four complexes, [Ni(L¹)]ClO₄ (1), [Cu(L¹)]ClO₄ (2), [Ni(L²)]ClO₄ (3), and [Cu(L²)]ClO₄ (4) with these two reduced Schiff base ligands have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The mono-negative ligands L¹ and L² are chelated in all four complexes through the four donor atoms to form square planar nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes. Structures of 3 and 4 reveal that enantiomeric pairs are crystallized together with opposite chirality in the nitrogen and carbon atoms. The two Cu^II complexes (2 and 4) exhibit both irreversible reductive (Cu^II/Cu^I; E_pc, −1.00 and −1.04 V) and oxidative (Cu^II/Cu^III; E_pa, +1.22 and +1.17 V, respectively) responses in cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemically generated Cu^I species for both the complexes are unstable and undergo disproportionation.