Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with two new potentially hexadentate Schiff base ligands. X-ray crystal structure determination of one copper(II) complex

Two new potentially hexadentate N₂O₄ Schiff base ligands 2-((z)-(2-(2-(2-((z)-3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino) phenoxy) phenoxy) phenylimino) methyl)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol [H₂L¹] and 2-((z)-(2-(2-(2-((z)-3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino) phenoxy)-5-tert-butylphenoxy) phenylimino) methyl)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol [H₂L²] were prepared from the reaction of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde with 1,2-bis(2′-aminophenoxy)benzene or 1,2-bis(2′-aminophenoxy)-4-t-butylbenzene, respectively. From the direct reaction of ligands [H₂L¹] and [H₂L²] with copper(II) and cobalt(II) salts in methanolic solution and in the presence of N(Et)₃ the neutral [CuL¹], [CuL²], [CoL¹] and [CoL²] complexes were prepared. All complexes were characterized by IR spectra, elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, mass spectra, molar conductance (Λ_m), UV-Vis spectra and in the case of [CuL²] with X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystal structure of [CuL²] showed that the complex contains copper(II) in a distorted square planar environment of N₂O₂ donors. Three CH/π interactions were observed in the molecular structure of latter complex.     

Synthesis,characterization, and X-ray crystal structures of metal complexes with new Schiff-base ligands and their antibacterial activities

Two new potentially hexadentate Schiff bases, [H₂L¹] and [H₂L²], were prepared by condensation of 2-(3-(2-aminophenoxy)naphthalen-2-yloxy)benzenamine with 3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy benzaldehyde and o-vanillin, respectively. Reaction of these ligands with cobalt(II) chloride, copper(II) perchlorate, and zinc(II) nitrate gave complexes ML. The ligands and their complexes have been characterized by a variety of physico-chemical techniques. The solid and solution state investigations show that the complexes are neutral. Molecular structures of [CuL¹], [CoL¹]?·?C₇H₈, and [ZnL²]?·?CH₃CN, which have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, indicate that [CuL¹] and [ZnL²]?·?CH₃CN display distorted square planar and distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry, respectively; the geometry around cobalt in [CoL¹]?·?C₇H₈ is almost exactly between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal. The synthesized ligands and their complexes were screened for their antibacterial activities against eight bacterial strains and the ligands and complexes have antibacterial effects. The most effective ones are [CuL²] against Proteus vulgaris, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus subtilis, [H²L¹] against S. subtilis, and [H₂L²] against S. subtilis.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,antimicrobial, DNA-binding,and photo-induced DNA cleavage activity of some bio-sensitive Schiff base copper(II) complexes

Schiff base mixed-ligand copper complexes [CuL¹(phen)Cl₂], [CuL¹(bipy)Cl₂], [Cu(L¹)₂Cl₂], [Cu(L²)₂Cl₂], [CuL²(bipy)Cl₂], and [CuL²(phen)Cl₂] (where L^1?=?4-[3,4-dimethoxy-benzylidene]-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-pyrazole-3-one; L^2?=?4-[3-hydroxy-4-nitro-benzylidene]-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-pyrazole-3-one; phen?=?1,10-phenanthroline; and bipy?=?2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized. Their DNA-binding properties have been studied by electronic absorption spectra, viscosity, and electrochemical measurements. The absorption spectral and viscosity results suggest that the copper(II) complexes bind to DNA via partial intercalation. The addition of DNA resulting in the decrease of the peak current of the copper(II) complexes indicates their interaction. Interaction between the complexes and DNA has also been investigated by submarine gel electrophoresis. The copper complexes cleave supercoiled pUC19 DNA to nicked and linear forms through hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid as the reducing agent. These copper complexes promote the photocleavage of pUC19 DNA under irradiation at 360?nm. Mechanistic study reveals that singlet oxygen is likely to be the reactive species responsible for the cleavage of plasmid DNA by the synthesized complexes. The in vitro antimicrobial study indicates that the metal chelates have higher activity against the bacterial and fungal strains than the free ligands.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,Hirshfeld surfaces,and spectral properties of Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes with 3-phenoxymethyl-4-phenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole

A new asymmetrical substituted triazole, 3-phenoxymethyl-4-phenyl-5-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (L) and its complexes, cis-[Cu₂ L ₂Cl₄]·2CH₃CN (1) and trans-[CoL ₂Cl₂]·2H₂O·2CH₃CN (2), have been synthesized and characterized by IR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analyses and Hirshfeld surfaces. In the structure, two L are mainly stabilized by an intermolecular C–H?N hydrogen bond. In 1 (or 2), each L involves a doubly-bidentate (or chelating bidentate) coordination mode through one pyridine and two nitrogens (or one) of triazole, respectively. Complex 1 has a distorted trigonal bipyramidal [CuN₃Cl₂] core with two cis Cl^? while 2 shows a distorted octahedron [CoN₄Cl₂] with two trans Cl^?. We also prepared molecular Hirshfeld surface and fingerprint plot for L, 1 and 2, which revealed the influence of different metals on coordinate of L.     

Hydrogen-bonded assemblies of trinuclear metal string complexes

Three kinds of trinuclear metal string complexes, [Ni₃(dpa)₄(L¹)₂]?·?H₂O?·?C₂H₅OH (L¹?=?(E)-3-(2-hydroxyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid) (1), [Ni₃(dpa)₄(L²)₂]?·?2C₂H₅OC₂H₅ (L²?=?(E)-3-(3-hydroxyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid) (2) and [Ni₃(dpa)₄(L³)₂]?·?3CH₂Cl₂?·?1.5CH₃OH (L³?=?(E)-3-(4-hydroxyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid) (3). (dpa^??=?bis(2-pyridyl)amido), have been synthesized. The structures of 1 and 2 have been analyzed by the X-ray single-crystal diffraction showing hydrogen-bonded networks.     

Cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) complexes of 14-membered hexaazamacrocycles: synthesis and characterization

Cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) complexes containing 5,12-di(4-bromophenyl)-7,14-dimethyl-1,2,4,8,9,11-hexaazacyclotetradeca-7,14-diene-3,10-dione (H₂L¹) and 5,12-diphenyl-7,14-dimethyl-1,2,4,8,9,11-hexaazacyclotetradeca-7,14-diene-3,10-dione (H₂L²) have been synthesized. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, MALDI TOF-MS spectrometry, and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The crystal structures of two compounds, [Cu₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄]_n and [NiL²], were determined by X-ray powder diffraction. In the polymeric [Cu₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄]_n, the Cu₂Cl₄ units and H₂L¹ molecules are situated on inversion centers. Each Cu(II) has a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment formed by N and O from H₂L¹ [Cu–N 2.340(14)?Å, Cu–O 1.952(11)?Å], two bridging chlorides [Cu–Cl 2.332(5), 2.279(5)?Å] and one terminal chloride [Cu–Cl 2.320(6)?Å]. In the [NiL²] complex, the Ni(II) situated on inversion center has a distorted square-planar coordination environment formed by four nitrogens from L² [Ni–N 1.860(11), 1.900(11)?Å].     

Ternary copper(II) complexes of aroylhydrazones and mono/bidentate heterocycles with different structures: synthesis,crystal structure and properties

Two mixed-ligand Cu(II) complexes, [CuL¹(Himdz] · CH₃OH (1) and [CuL²(phen)] · 0.5DMF (2), with different structures have been synthesized by using substituted aroylhydrazones, 5-bromo-salicylaldehyde-benzoylhydrazone (H₂L¹) and 5-bromo-salicylaldehyde-3,5-dimethoxy-benzoylhydrazone (H₂L²), and mono/bidentate heterocycles, imidazole (Himdz) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). Their crystal structures and spectroscopic properties have been studied. X-ray analysis show a distorted square-planar geometry for 1 and a distorted square-pyramidal geometry for 2, in which the chelating phen ligand displays axial-equatorial bonding. In both structures the ONO tridentate ligand occupies the basal plane. Self-assembly via O–H ··· N, N–H ··· O and C–H ··· O interactions lead to one-dimensional chain arrangement in 1 and 2.     

Catalytic activity of some new copper(II) azo-complexes

Copper(II) complexes [Cu(L)₂]?·?nH₂O, where L is 3-(p-X-)-4-hydroxy-l,2-naphthoquinone (for L1, X?=?H; L2, X?=?CH₃; L3, X?=?Cl; L4, X?=?Br; and L5, X?=?NO₂), have been synthesized and characterized by analytical, electrochemical, spectroscopic (IR, UV-Vis, ESR, and ¹H NMR), and magnetic methods. From the data obtained, square-planar geometry has been assigned for all the complexes. [CuL1]?·?H₂O exhibits catalytic activity for oxidation of benzyl alcohol, piperonyl alcohol, and cinnamyl alcohol into their respective aldehydes in the presence of H₂O₂ as co-oxidant and in CH₃CN and H₂O as solvents at room temperature.     

Syntheses,structures, and fluorescent properties of three Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes of different ligands derived from 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine

Three supramolecular complexes [Zn(HL₁ )₂(H₂O)₂(ZnCl₄)₂] (1), [Cu(L₂ )₂Cl₂] (2), and [Zn(L₃ )Cl₂] (3) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (L₁ = 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole, L₂ = 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, and L₃ = 2-pyridinecarboxylic acid (pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-hydrazide). In 1, anion–π interactions between Cl^? and the π-systems of L₁ are observed and anion–π, hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions link the two complex units of [Zn(HL₁ )₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ and [ZnCl₄]^2? to form a 3-D supramolecular network. In 2, π–π stacking interactions between aromatic rings of 1,2,4-triazole and pyridine rings are observed; in 3, hydrogen bonding of Cl ··· H–N and π–π stacking interactions between parallel pyridine rings of L ₃ are observed. The mechanisms of rearrangement reactions of L to L₁ –L₃ are discussed. The fluorescent properties for solid 1 and 3 are also investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new pyrrolidine containing sulfur ligand and the transition metal complexes of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(I)

Potassium 1,3-dipyrrolidinopropan-2-O-xanthate (LK), and its complexes with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(I) have been prepared and characterized as [CoL₂(H₂O)₂]?·?2H₂O, [NiL₂(H₂O)₂] and CuL?·?2H₂O by FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility and TGA techniques.     

Crystal structures and DNA cleavage activities of two mononuclear nickel(II) complexes

Two new nickel complexes, [Ni(L₁)₂]?·?2(CH₃OH) (1) and [Ni(L₂)₂]?·?2(CH₃OH) (2), where HL₁ is 4-chloro-2-((2-hydroxy-ethylimino)methyl)phenol and HL₂ is 4-fluoro-2-((2-hydroxy-ethylimino)methyl)phenol, have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis absorption spectra. The coordination polyhedron of nickel(II) in each complex can be described as distorted octahedral. The interactions between the complexes and calf thymus (CT)-DNA/DNA were investigated by UV-Vis spectra and agarose gel electrophoresis. The results show that the complex transforms supercoiled to nicked form and exhibits effective DNA cleavage activity via hydrolytic cleavage mechanism.     

Syntheses and characterization of nickel(II), zinc(II) and palladium(II) complexes derived from three pyrazole-based polydentate ligands

Two pyrazole-based polydentate ligands, 1,3-bis(5-methyl-3-phenylpyrazol-1-yl)-propan-2-ol (Hmppzpo) and 1,3-bis(5-methyl-3-p-isopropylphenylpyrazol-1-yl)-propan-2-ol (Hmcpzpo), have been synthesized. A third ligand, 1,3-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-propan-2-ol (Hdmpzpo), has been synthetically modified. Seven new M(II) coordination compounds of general formula M₂L₂X₂ (M?=?Zn, Ni; X?=?NO₃ or ClO₄; L?=?dmpzpo, mppzpo or mcpzpo) or MLX (M?=?Pd; L?=?dmpzpo; X?=?Cl) were synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis and FT-IR analysis. The crystal structures of [Zn₂(μ-dmpzpo-O,N,N′)₂(NO₃)₂]?·?2H₂O (1?·?2H₂O), [Ni₂(μ-dmpzpo-O,N,N′)₂(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2) and Pd(μ-dmpzpo-N,N′)Cl₂ (4) were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures show that complexes 1?·?2H₂O and 2 are center-symmetric dinuclear compounds, with two metal ions bridged by two alkoxo groups and each metal ion with a distorted square-pyramidal environment. The palladium complex, 4, displayed square-planar coordination geometry around the Pd(II) ion with trans arrangement.     

The synthesis and characterization of three new vic -dioximes and their nickel(II), copper(II) and cobalt(II) complexes

Three new vic-dioximes, [L¹H₂], N-(4-ethylphenyl)amino-1-acetyl-1-cyclohexenylglyoxime, [L²H₂], N-(4-butylphenyl)amino-1-acetyl-1-cyclohexenylglyoxime, and [L³H₂], N-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-1-acetyl-1-cyclohexenylglyoxime were synthesized from 1-acetyl-1-cyclohexeneglyoxime and the corresponding substituted aromatic amines. Metal complexes of these ligands were also synthesized with Ni(II), Cu(II), and Co(II) salts. These new compounds (ligands and complexes) were characterized with FT–IR, magnetic susceptibility measurement, molar conductivity measurements, mass spectrometry measurements, thermal methods (e.g. thermal gravimetric analysis), ¹H NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and ¹³C NMR spectral data and elemental analyses.     

Synthesis and structure of amide oxygen-bridged polymeric and monomeric copper(II) complexes with aroylhydrazones

The synthesis and structure of two Cu(II) complexes, {[Cu₂(L¹)₂]?·?DMF} _n (1) and [CuL²(phen)] (2), are described. The dinegative hydrazones are obtained by deprotonation of both phenolic and amide moieties of N′-(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3,5-dimethoxybenzohydrazide (H₂L¹) and N′-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)pyrazine-2-carbohydrazide (H₂L²). In each complex the planar ligand binds the metal ion via phenolate-O, imine-N, and amide-O. Complex 1 is a polymer in which phenoxo-bridged binuclear Cu(II) units are further joined by equatorial–apical amide-O bridges. The Cu···Cu separations are 3.0306 and 3.8217?Å for the phenolate-O bridged pair and the amide-O bridged pair, respectively. Complex 2 is a monomer where chelating phen displays axial–equatorial bonding, with square-pyramidal Cu(II).     

Self-assembly of copper(II) complexes with substituted aroylhydrazones and monodentate N-heterocycles: synthesis,structure and properties

Two ternary copper(II) complexes [Cu(L¹)(py)] (1) and [Cu(L²)(Himdz]?·?CH₃OH (2) with substituted aroylhydrazones, 5-bromo-salicylaldehyde-3,5-dimethoxy-benzoylhydrazone (H₂L¹) and 5-bromo-salicylaldehyde-p-methyl-benzoylhydrazone (H₂L²), pyridine (py) and imidazole (Himdz), have been synthesized. Their crystal structures and spectroscopic properties have been studied. In each complex, the metal is in a square-planar N₂O₂ coordination formed by the phenolate-O, the imine-N and the deprotonated amide-O atoms of L^2?, and the sp²?N atom of the neutral heterocycle. In the solid state, 1 exists as a centrosymmetric dimer due to very weak apical coordination of the metal bound phenolate-O. Complex 2 has no such apical coordination and exists as a monomer. Self-assembly via C–H?···?O, N–H?···?O and O–H?···?N interaction leads to a one-dimensional chain arrangement; other non-covalent interactions such as C–H?···?π and π?···?π are not involved.     

Syntheses of phenoxo-bridged Zn(II) and metallamacrocyclic Hg(II) complexes of organochalcogen (Se,Te) substituted Schiff-bases: structure and DNA-binding studies of Zn(II) complexes

The coordination of organochalcogen (especially Se and Te) substituted Schiff-bases L¹H, L²H, L³H, and L⁴H toward Zn(II) and Hg(II) has been studied. Reactions of these ligands with ZnCl₂ in 1?:?1 molar ratio gave binuclear complexes [{2-[PhX(CH₂) _n N?=?C(Ph)]-6-[PhCO]-4-MeC₆H₂O}₂Zn₂Cl₂] (where X?=?Se, n?=?2 (1); X?=?Se, n?=?3 (2); X?=?Te, n?=?2 (3); and X?=?Te, n?=?3 (4)) with partial hydrolytic cleavage of proligands. In these complexes, two partially hydrolyzed ligand fragments coordinate tridentate (NOO) with two Zn's. Reaction of HgBr₂ with L¹H and L²H in 1?:?1 molar ratio gave monometallic complexes [C₆H₂(4-Me)(OH)[2,6-{C(Ph)?=?N(CH₂) _n Se(Ph)}₂HgBr₂]] (n?=?2 (5) or 3 (6)) and under similar conditions with L³H and L⁴H gave bimetallic complexes [C₆H₂(4-Me)(OH)[2,6-{C(Ph)?=?N(CH₂) _n Te(Ph)}₂Hg₂Br₄]] (n?=?2?(7) or 3 (8)) in which the ligands coordinate with metal through selenium or tellurium, leaving the imino nitrogen and phenolic oxygen uncoordinated. The proligands L¹H, L²H give 14- or 16-membered metallamacrocycles through Se–Hg–Se linkages and L³H, L⁴H give 16- or 18-membered metallamacrocycles through Te–Hg–Br–Hg–Te linkages. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, ESIMS, FTIR, multinuclear NMR, UV-Vis, and conductance measurements. The redox properties of the complexes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). Complexes 1–4 exhibited ligand-centered irreversible oxidation processes. Complexes 5 and 6 showed metal-centered quasi-reversible single electron transfer, whereas dinuclear complexes 7 and 8 displayed two quasi-reversible, one-electron transfer steps. A single-crystal X-ray structure determination of 1 showed that the coordination unit is centrosymmetric with Zn(II) in square-pyramidal coordination geometry and the two square pyramids sharing an edge. The Zn?···?Zn separation is 3.232?Å. The DNA-binding properties of 1 and 3 with calf thymus DNA were explored by a spectrophotometric method and CV.     

Rhodium(III), palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of Bis(o-aminobenzenesulfonyl)ethylenediamine

New complexes of the formulae K₃[RhL ₃]·2 H₂O, [PdL]·H₂O and [M(LH₂)Cl₂] [whereM = Pd, Pt andLH₂ = bis(o-aminobenzenesulfonyl)ethylenediamine] have been prepared and characterized by conductivity measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray powder patterns and IR, Ligand Field and¹H-NMR spectroscopy.

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Rhodium(III), Palladium(II)- und Platin(II)-Komplexe mit Bis(o-aminobenzolosulfonyl)ethylendiamin (Kurze Mitteilung)

Zusammenfassung Neue Komplexe der allgemeinen Formeln K₃[RhL ₃]·2H₂O, [PdL]·H₂O und [M(LH₂)Cl₂] mitM = Pd, Pt undLH₂ = Bis(o-aminobenzolosulfonyl)ethylendiamin wurden dargestellt und mit Konduktionsmessungen, thermogravimetrischen Analysen, Röntgenstrukturanalysen, IR, Ligandfeld- und¹H-NMR-Spektroskopie charakterisiert.

     

Copper(II) and Cadmium(II) Complexes Based on N,N‐Bis(3, 5‐dimethyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine Ligand: Syntheses,Structures, Magnetic,and Luminescent Properties

The reaction of the aryl‐oxide ligand H₂L [H₂L = N,N‐bis(3, 5‐dimethyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐N‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine] with CuSO₄ · 5H₂O, CuCl₂ · 2H₂O, CuBr₂, CdCl₂ · 2.5H₂O, and Cd(OAc)₂ · 2H₂O, respectively, under hydrothermal conditions gave the complexes [Cu(H₂L¹)₂] · SO₄ · 3CH₃OH ( 1 ), [Cu₂(H₂L²)₂Cl₄] ( 2 ), [Cu₂(H₂L²)₂Br₄] ( 3 ), [Cd₂(HL)₂Cl₂] ( 4 ), and [Cd₂(L)₂(CH₃COOH)₂] · H₂L ( 5 ), where H₂L¹ [H₂L¹ = 2, 4‐dimethyl‐6‐((pyridin‐2‐ylmethylamino)methyl)phenol] and H₂L² [H₂L² = 2‐(2, 4‐dimethyl‐6‐((pyridin‐2‐ylmethylamino)methyl)phenoxy)‐4, 6‐dimethylphenol] were derived from the solvothermal in situ metal/ligand reactions. These complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elementary analysis, and X‐ray diffraction. A low‐temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement for the solid sample of 2 revealed antiferromagnetic interactions between two central copper(II) atoms. The emission property studies for complexes 4 and 5 indicated strong luminescence emission.     

Synthesis and characterization of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes with a new tetraazamacrocyclic Schiff base ligand containing a piperazine moiety: X-ray crystal structure determination of the Co(II) complex

Two macrocyclic Schiff base ligands, L¹ [1+1] and L² [2+2], have been obtained in a one-pot cyclocondensation of 1,4-bis(2-formylphenyl)piperazine and 1,3-diaminopropane. Unfortunately, because of the low solubility of both ligands, their separation was unsuccessful. In the direct reaction of these mixed ligands (L¹ and L²) and the appropriate metal ions only [CoL¹(NO₃)]ClO₄, [NiL¹](ClO₄)₂, [CuL¹](ClO₄)₂ and [ZnL¹(NO₃)]ClO₄ complexes have been isolated. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, FAB-MS, conductivity measurements and in the case of the [ZnL¹(NO₃)]ClO₄ complex with NMR spectroscopy.     

Copper(II) Complexes with Chiral Diaminodiamido Ligands: Solution and Structural Studies

Abstract

Three diaminodiamido ligands (S,S)-N,N′-bis(prolyl)ethanediamine (ProNN-2), (S,S)-N,N′-bis(N-methylvalyl)ethanediamine (Me₂ValNN-2), and (S,S)-N,N′-bis(N-methylphenylalanyl)-ethanediamine (Me₂PheNN-2) were synthesised and their complex formation equilibria with copper(II) investigated in aqueous solution by potentiometry and, for ProNN-2, by electronic spectrophotometry. ProNN-2 forms the species [CuLH]³⁺, [Cu₂L₂]⁴⁺, [Cu₂L₂H_?2]²⁺ and [CuLH_?2], Me₂PheNN-2 forms the complexes [CuLH]³⁺, [Cu₂L₂H_?2]²⁺ and [CuLH_?2], whereas Me₂ValNN-2 forms the monomer [CuLH_?1]⁺ but not the dimer. The dimeric cation [Cu₂L₂H_?2]²⁺, of Me₂PheNN-2 has severe steric requirements, as demonstrated by the X-ray crystal structure of the complex [Cu₂L₂H_?2]Cl₂· 12H₂O, of the corresponding non-methylated ligand. Since copper(II) complexes of the ligands examined are used as additives to the mobile phase to perform chiral resolution of D,L-amino acids in RP-HPLC, the present results provide valuable clues to an understanding of the mechanism of the enantiomeric separation.