Fast Oxygen Reduction Catalyzed by a Copper(II) Tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine Complex through a Stepwise Mechanism

Catalytic pathways for the reduction of dioxygen can either lead to the formation of water or peroxide as the reaction product. We demonstrate that the electrocatalytic reduction of O₂ by the pyridylalkylamine copper complex [Cu(tmpa)(L)]²⁺ in a neutral aqueous solution follows a stepwise 4 e^?/4 H⁺ pathway, in which H₂O₂ is formed as a detectable intermediate and subsequently reduced to H₂O in two separate catalytic reactions. These homogeneous catalytic reactions are shown to be first order in catalyst. Coordination of O₂ to Cu^I was found to be the rate‐determining step in the formation of the peroxide intermediate. Furthermore, electrochemical studies of the reaction kinetics revealed a high turnover frequency of 1.5×10⁵ s^?1, the highest reported for any molecular copper catalyst.     

New mononuclear copper(II) complexes from β-diketone and β-keto ester N-donor heterocyclic ligands: structure,bioactivity, and molecular simulation studies

Four new mononuclear copper(II) complexes with methyl acetoacetate and benzoylacetone in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The molecular structures of complexes [Cu(MAA)(bpy)(ClO₄)] (1a), [Cu(bzac)(bpy)]ClO₄ (2a), [Cu(MAA)(phen)(ClO₄)] (1b) and [Cu(bzac)(phen)(ClO₄)] (2b) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. 1a, 1b, and 2b are five coordinate with a distorted square pyramidal geometry and the structure of 2a consists of isolated [Cu(bzac)(bpy)]⁺ cations and perchlorate counter anions. The electrochemical studies of copper complexes in acetonitrile solution showed that Cu^II/Cu^I reduction processes are electrochemically irreversible. Cytotoxic activity of complexes was screened, including an MTT assay against gastric cancer cell line (MKN-45). The four Cu(II) complexes exhibited lethal effects against MKN-45 cell lines and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values obtained were much lower in comparison with 5-fluorouracil. In addition, MTT and migration studies revealed that benzoylacetone complexes are more active than complexes of methyl acetoacetate against the MKN-45 cancer cell lines. Docking simulations of Cu(II) complexes on DNA revealed that the most stable adducts with DNA bind in the minor groove. All complexes display a binding specificity to the A/T rich regions.     

Oxygen Reduction with a Bifunctional Iridium Dihydride Complex

The iridium dihydride [Ir(H)₂(HPNP)]⁺ (PNP=N(CH₂CH₂PtBu₂)₂) reacts with O₂ to give the unusual, square‐planar iridium(III) hydroxide [Ir(OH)(PNP)]⁺ and water. Regeneration of the dihydride with H₂ closes a quasi‐catalytic synthetic oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) cycle that can be run several times. Experimental and computational examinations are in agreement with an oxygenation mechanism via rate‐limiting O₂ coordination followed by H‐transfer at a single metal site, facilitated by the cooperating pincer ligand. Hence, the four electrons required for the ORR are stored within the two covalent M? H bonds of a mononuclear metal complex.     

Mapping the DNA Damaging Effects of Polypyridyl Copper Complexes with DNA Electrochemical Biosensors

Several classes of copper complexes are known to induce oxidative DNA damage that mediates cell death. These compounds are potentially useful anticancer agents and detailed investigation can reveal the mode of DNA interaction, binding strength, and type of oxidative lesion formed. We recently reported the development of a DNA electrochemical biosensor employed to quantify the DNA cleavage activity of the well-studied [Cu(phen)₂]²⁺ chemical nuclease. However, to validate the broader compatibility of this sensor for use with more diverse—and biologically compatible—copper complexes, and to probe its use from a drug discovery perspective, analysis involving new compound libraries is required. Here, we report on the DNA binding and quantitative cleavage activity of the [Cu(TPMA)(N,N)]²⁺ class (where TPMA = tris-2-pyridylmethylamine) using a DNA electrochemical biosensor. TPMA is a tripodal copper caging ligand, while N,N represents a bidentate planar phenanthrene ligand capable of enhancing DNA interactions through intercalation. All complexes exhibited electroactivity and interact with DNA through partial (or semi-) intercalation but predominantly through electrostatic attraction. Although TPMA provides excellent solution stability, the bulky ligand enforces a non-planar geometry on the complex, which sterically impedes full interaction. [Cu(TPMA)(phen)]²⁺ and [Cu(TPMA)(DPQ)]²⁺ cleaved 39% and 48% of the DNA strands from the biosensor surface, respectively, while complexes [Cu(TPMA)(bipy)]²⁺ and [Cu(TPMA)(PD)]²⁺ exhibit comparatively moderate nuclease efficacy (ca. 26%). Comparing the nuclease activities of [Cu(TPMA)(phen)] ²⁺ and [Cu(phen)₂]²⁺ (ca. 23%) confirms the presence of TPMA significantly enhances chemical nuclease activity. Therefore, the use of this DNA electrochemical biosensor is compatible with copper(II) polypyridyl complexes and reveals TPMA complexes as a promising class of DNA damaging agent with tuneable activity due to coordinated ancillary phenanthrene ligands.     

Electrochemical study of heteronuclear complex [Cp(CO)2MnCu(μ-C=CHPh)(μ-Cl)]2

The electrochemical behavior of the heteronuclear dimeric vinylidene complex [Cp(CO)₂MnCu(μ-C=CHPh)(μ-Cl)]₂ (I) is studied using polarography, cyclic voltammetry, and controlled-potential electrolysis on mercury and platinum electrodes in acetonitrile. The dimer is reduced in two two-electron stages: at the first stage, metal-halogen bonds are broken and binuclear monomers [Cp(CO)₂MnCu(μ-C=CHPh)(Cl)]^? are formed; at the second stage, mononuclear manganese complexes Cp(CO)₂Mn=C=CHPh, metallic copper, and chloride ions are formed. The two-electron oxidation of dimer [Cp(CO)₂MnCu(μ-C=CHPh)(μ-Cl)]₂ also results in the formation of binuclear monomers, which decompose to complex Cp(CO)₂Mn=C=CHPh, Cu²⁺ ions, and Cl^? ions.     

Sodalite‐type Cu‐based Three‐dimensional Metal–Organic Framework for Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Inspired by copper‐based oxygen reduction biocatalysts, we have studied the electrocatalytic behavior of a Cu‐based MOF (Cu‐BTT) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline medium. This catalyst reduces the oxygen at the onset (E_onset) and half‐wave potential (E^1/2) of 0. 940 V and 0.778 V, respectively. The high halfway potential supports the good activity of Cu‐BTT MOF. The high ORR catalytic activity can be interpreted by the presence of nitrogen‐rich ligand (tetrazole) and the generation of nascent copper(I) during the reaction. In addition to the excellent activity, Cu‐BTT MOF showed exceptional stability too, which was confirmed through chronoamperometry study, where current was unchanged up to 12 h. Further, the 4‐electrons transfer of ORR kinetics was confirmed by hydrodynamic voltammetry. The oxygen active center namely copper(I) generation during ORR has been understood by the reduction peak in cyclic voltammetry as well in the XPS analysis.     

Zur Reaktion der Alkin-Kupfer(I)-Komplexe [CuX(S-Alkin)] (X = Cl,Br, I; S-Alkin = 3,3,6,6-Tetramethyl-1-thia-4-cycloheptin) mit dem Chelat-Liganden N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylendiamin (tmeda)

Organometallic Compounds of Copper. XVII. On the Reaction of the Alkyne-Copper(I) Complexes [CuX(S-Alkyne)] (X = Cl, Br, I; S-Alkyne = 3,3,6,6-Tetramethyl-1-thiacyclohept-4-yne) with the Chelate Ligand N,N,N′,N′-Tetramethylethylendiamine (tmeda) The alkyne copper(I) chloride complex [CuCl(S-Alkyne)]_n ( 2 a ) (S-Alkyne = 3,3,6,6–tetramethyl-1-thiacyclohept-4-yne) adds tetramethylethylene diamine (tmeda) to form the mononuclear compound [CuCl(S-Alkyne)(tmeda)] ( 4 ). The alkyne copper halide complexes [CuBr(S-Alkyne)]_n ( 2 b ) and [CuI(S-Alkyne)]_n ( 2 c ) react with tmeda to yield the complex salts [Cu(S-Alkyne)(tmeda)]⁺ [CuX₂(S-Alkyne)]^– (X = Br ( 5 a ), X = I ( 5 b )). X-ray diffraction studies on all new compounds 4 and 5 reveal distorted tetrahedral coordination of the copper atom in complex 4 and trigonal-planar coordinated copper atoms in the cations and anions of the ionic compounds 5 .     

Copper–Carbene Intermediates in the Copper‐Catalyzed Functionalization of OH Bonds

Copper–carbene [Tp^xCu?C(Ph)(CO₂Et)] and copper–diazo adducts [Tp^xCu{η¹‐N₂C(Ph)(CO₂Et)}] have been detected and characterized in the context of the catalytic functionalization of O?H bonds through carbene insertion by using N₂?C(Ph)(CO₂Et) as the carbene source. These are the first examples of these type of complexes in which the copper center bears a tridentate ligand and displays a tetrahedral geometry. The relevance of these complexes in the catalytic cycle has been assessed by NMR spectroscopy, and kinetic studies have demonstrated that the N‐bound diazo adduct is a dormant species and is not en route to the formation of the copper–carbene intermediate.     

Mixed-Ligand Complex Formation Equilibria of Copper(II) with 6-Methylpicolinic Acid and Some Amino Acids

In this work, the ternary complex formation among copper(II), 6-methylpicolinic acid (H6Mepic) as primary ligand, and the amino acids aspartic acid (H₂Asp), glutamic acid (H₂Glu) and histidine (HHis) as secondary ligands, were studied in aqueous solution at 25 °C using 1.0 mol·dm^?3 KNO₃ as the ionic medium. Analysis of the potentiometric data using the least squares computational program LETAGROP indicates formation of the species [Cu(6Mepic)]⁺, Cu(6Mepic)(OH), [Cu(6Mepic)(OH)₂]^?, Cu(6Mepic)₂ and [Cu(6Mepic)₃]^? in the binary Cu(II)–H6Mepic system. In the ternary Cu(II)–H6Mepic–H₂Asp system the complexes [Cu(6Mepic)(H₂Asp)]⁺, Cu(6Mepic)(HAsp), [Cu(6Mepic)(Asp)]^? and [Cu(6Mepic)(Asp)(OH)]^2? were observed. In the case of the Cu(II)–H6Mepic–H₂Glu system the complexes Cu(6Mepic)(HGlu), [Cu(6Mepic)(Glu)]^?, [Cu(6Mepic)(Glu)(OH)]^2? and [Cu(6Mepic)(glu)(OH)₂]^3? were detected. Finally, in the Cu(II)–H6Mepic–HHis system the complexes [Cu(6Mepic)(HHis)]⁺, Cu(6Mepic)(His) and [Cu(6Mepic)(His)(OH)]^? were observed. The species distribution diagrams as a function of pH are briefly discussed.     

Kupferkomplexe des neuen Chelatliganden 1‐Methyl‐2‐(2‐thiophenolato)‐1H‐benzimidazol (mtpb) und dessen Oxidationsprodukten

Copper Complexes of the New Chelate Ligand 1‐Methyl‐2‐(2‐thiophenolato)‐1H‐benzimidazole (mtpb) and of its Oxidation Products Anodic electrolysis of copper in acetonitrile in the presence of Hmtpb leads to formation of yellow [Cu₄(mtbp)₄] which was crystallized as a dichloromethane solvate with two crystallographically independent cluster molecules in the unit cell. The copper(I) atoms exhibit slightly pyramidal S₂N coordination with bridging thiolate sulfur atoms. The two clusters contain the four copper atoms arranged in a more (Cu1‐Cu4) or less (Cu5‐Cu8) distorted bisphenoidal arrangement. Reaction of mtpb^— with Cu(ClO₄)₂ under anoxic conditions also produces [Cu₄(mtpb)₄]. However, the admittance of O₂ in the reaction of mtpb^— with copper(II) acetate in methanol causes oxidation of the sulfur atoms; a square‐pyramidal configurated copper(II) complex [Cu(CH₃CO₂‐κ²O)(L₁‐κN)(L₂‐κN, O)] has been isolated and crystallographically characterized in which L₁ is the neutral sulfinic methyl ester and L₂^— is the sulfonate derived from mtpb^—.     

Cu(Ⅱ)金属有机骨架中配位环境对类Fenton反应活性的影响

以一水合醋酸铜为铜源,以2,6-二（4''-吡啶基）-4-甲基苯胺（L）为桥联吡啶配体、间苯二甲酸（H₂IPA）为共配体分别合成了一维链状配位聚合物{[（Cu （OAc）₂）₂（L）]·3CH₃CN}_n（1,OAc^-=CH₃CO₂^-）和二维网状配位聚合物{[Cu （IPA）（L）（H₂O）]₂·H₂IPA·H₂O}_n（2）。通过二者的单晶结构分析可以看出,配合物1中的铜原子位于[CuNO₄]₂簇中的四面体配位环境中心,配合物2中的铜原子处于[CuNO₃]变形六面体配位环境的中心,不同的配位环境导致2个配合物具有差异化的光催化降解有机物的活性。通过以亚甲基蓝为底物的类Fenton光催化降解对比实验表明,含有Cu—N、Cu—O配位环境的配合物1的催化效果优于具有相同四面体构型配位环境的HKUST-1,且配合物1和2催化性能的对比也证明了开放性单核铜配位中心的光催化降解活性优于簇合物中的铜配位中心。得益于配体的稳定和框架结构的存在,与相同条件下无配体约束的醋酸铜盐的催化性能相比,2个配合物均具有更高的催化活性和可循环利用特性。通过UV-Vis光谱计算了二者的带隙,光催化降解前后的粉末X射线衍射及电感耦合等离子质谱证明了配合物的稳定性。通过添加自由基捕捉剂苯醌、叔丁醇和三乙醇胺,证实了该催化过程为羟基自由基过程的类Fenton反应机理。     

Dinaphthotetraaza[14]annulene copper(II) complexes in the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide and bisulfite anion

A modified synthetic route for the complexes [Cu(II)5,7,12,14-tetramethyldinaphtho [b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraaza[14]annulene], [Cu(II)tmdnTAA], and [Cu(II) 5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-6,13-dichloro-dinaphtho[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraaza[14]annulene], [Cu(II)dCltmdnTAA], is presented in this work. The electrochemical characterization of both complexes and their precursors, [bis(2,4-pentanedionato)copper(II)], [Cu(II)(acac)₂] and [bis(3-chloro-2,4-pentanedionato)copper(II)], [Cu(II)(3-Cl-acac)₂], respectively, under nitrogen and carbon dioxide is also presented. The voltammetric response of [Cu(II)(acac)₂] and [Cu(II)(3-Cl-acac)₂] are different compared to [Cu(II)tmdnTAA] and [Cu(II)dCltmdnTAA] under nitrogen. Precursors show the reduction of Cu(I) to Cu(0) and the tetraazadinaphtho[14]annulene complexes do not. The chlorine substituted complex has a lower reduction potential than the unsubstituted homologue under nitrogen atmosphere. However, the contrary response is obtained in the presence of carbon dioxide: the unsubstituted complex is more catalytic in terms of potential because the current discharge appears 270?mV shifted to the anodic region. These facts can be explained in terms of electronic and steric effects. The modified electrode obtained by oxidative electropolymerization of [Cu(II)tmdnTAA] over glassy carbon electrode presented a suitable amperometric response for the sulfite reduction in acidic medium (pH?=?2.7). A linear correlation was observed for the catalytic current and sulfite concentration between 0.6–6.0?mM range.     

Evidence of Sulfur Non-Innocence in [CoII(dithiacyclam)]2+-Mediated Catalytic Oxygen Reduction Reactions

In many metalloenzymes, sulfur-containing ligands participate in catalytic processes, mainly via the involvement in electron transfer reactions. In a biomimetic approach, we now demonstrate the implication of S-ligation in cobalt mediated oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). A comparative study between the catalytic ORR capabilities of the four-nitrogen bound [Co(cyclam)]²⁺ ( 1 ; cyclam=1,5,8,11-tetraaza-cyclotetradecane) and the S-containing analog [Co(S₂N₂-cyclam)]²⁺ ( 2 ; S₂N₂-cyclam=1,8-dithia-5,11-diaza-cyclotetradecane) reveals improved catalytic performance once the chalcogen is introduced in the Co coordination sphere. Trapping and characterization of the intermediates formed upon dioxygen activation at the Co^II centers in 1 and 2 point to the involvement of sulfur in the O₂ reduction process as the key for the improved catalytic ORR capabilities of 2 .     

A new heteroleptic cuprous complex with strong yellow photoluminescence

In the title heteroleptic cuprous complex, (acetonitrile‐κN)({2‐[2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)phenoxy]phenyl}diphenylphosphane‐κ²P,P′)[2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl‐κN)‐1,3‐benzoxazole]copper(I) hexafluoridophosphate, [Cu(C₃₆H₂₈OP₂)(CH₃CN)(C₁₂H₈N₂O)]PF₆, conventionally abbreviated [Cu(POP)(CH₃CN)(4‐PBO)]PF₆, where POP is the diphosphane ligand {2‐[2‐(diphenylphosphanyl)phenoxy]phenyl}diphenylphosphane and 4‐PBO is the N‐containing ligand 2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3‐benzoxazole, the asymmetric unit consists of a hexafluoridophosphate anion and a whole mononuclear cation, where the Cu^I centre is coordinated by two P atoms from the POP ligand, by one N atom from the 4‐PBO ligand and by the N atom of the coordinated acetonitrile molecule, giving rise to a CuP₂N₂ distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. The electronic absorption, photoluminescence and thermal stability properties of this complex have been studied on as‐synthesized samples, which had previously been examined by powder X‐ray diffraction. A yellow emission signal is attributed to an excited state arising from metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT).     

Nuclearity Control in Molecular Copper Phosphates Derived from a Bulky Arylphosphate: Synthesis,Structural and Magnetic Studies

Starting from sterically encumbered 2,6-di-tert-butylphenyl phosphate (dtbppH₂) and co-ligand 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole (dmpz), it is possible to isolate either mono-, di- or tetranuclear copper phosphates by varying the copper source and making attendant changes in the reaction conditions. For example, reaction of copper nitrate with dtbppH₂ and dmpz at 60 °C leads to the isolation of the mononuclear copper phosphate [Cu(dtbppH)₂(dmpz)(MeOH)₂] ( 1 ) as the only product. However, the use of copper acetate in place of copper nitrate and conducting the reaction at the room temperature leads to the formation of both dinuclear [Cu(dtbpp)(dmpz)₂]₂ ( 2 ) and tetranuclear [Cu₂(dtbpp)(dmpz)₂(OAc)(MeO)]₂ ( 3 ) from the same reaction mixture. Compounds 2 and 3 could be isolated in pure form through fractional crystallization. Copper phosphates 1 – 3 have been characterized by both analytical and spectroscopic methods including EPR and magnetic measurements. The molecular structures of all three compounds were established through single crystal diffraction studies. Dc magnetic measurements indicate antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal centres in all the compounds.     

One Novel Cu(II)–Amino Acid Schiff Base Complex Derived from Salicylaldehyde and L-Serine: Identification of Unusual Monodentate 4,4′-Bipyridine

One novel copper(II) complex [Cu(L)(4,4′-bipy)](ClO₄) (1), (where L: tridentate Schiff base derived from salicylaldehyde and L-serine) has been synthesised and characterised by spectroscopic and electrochemical studies. The single-crystal structure of the complex was determined. The crystal structure features the presence of [Cu(L)(4,4′-bipy)]⁺ cations and ClO₄⁻ anions aggregated by hydrogen bonding. Here, 4,4′-bipyridine functions as a monodentate ligand, which appears to be an unusual phenomenon.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and thermal investigation of Schiff-base complexes of Cu(II) derived from heterocyclic β-diketone with various primary amines

The mononuclear complex [Cu(PMFP)(bipy)]ClO₄ was prepared by reaction of Cu(NO₃)₂·5H₂O with ligand PMFP and 2,2′-bipyridine. The corresponding Schiff bases were prepared by condensation of [Cu(PMFP)(bipy)]ClO₄ with ethylenediamine, ethanolamine and glycine with general formula [Cu(PMFP-SB)(bipy)]ClO₄ (where PMFP?=?1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-formyl-2-pyrazolin-5one; bipy?=?2,2′-bipyridine). All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, conductometry measurements and ¹H-NMR, FT-IR, ESR, electronic spectra and mass spectrometry. Electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate square planar stereochemistry. Thermal stability, order of kinetics, heat capacity and activation energy of thermal degradation for these complexes were determined by TGA and DSC. Hamiltonian and bonding parameters from ESR spectra indicate the metal ligand bonding is partially covalent.     

Structure and spectroscopic characterization of the quaternary system: Copper(II), pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate, 2,2′-bipyridyl and pyridine

Conclusion The x-ray structural results confirm what has been ascertained by thermodynamic and spectroscopic data in aqueous solution(7). It is evident that the addition of pyridine to the solution containing the mixed species [Cu(bipy)(pydca)(H₂O)] leads to the substitution of a water molecule directly bound to copper(II) ion by a pyridine molecule. This experiment also demonstrated the presence of a water molecule in the equatorial plane of the complex.The subsequent diffractometric study on single crystals derived from the copper(II)/bipy/pydca system revealed the existence in the solid state of [Cu₂(bipy)₂(pydca)₂] · 4H₂O. Thus the pydca dianion, instead of forming the statistically favoured mixed complex [Cu(bipy)(pydca)], gives rise to crystals containing two different copper(II) environments: [Cu(pydca)₂]^2– and [Cu(bipy)₂]²⁺, linked by O-carboxylate bridges. The facility with which [Cu(bipy)(pydca)(py)] can be obtained shows that the addition of pyridine prevents the formation of polynuclear species.     

Solid,Solution, and Theoretical Approach of [Cu(CN‐acac)(dmeen)]+

The reaction of bis(3‐cyano‐2,4‐pentanedionato)copper(II), [Cu(NC‐acac)₂] with the nitrogenous base N,N‐dimethyl, N′‐ethyl‐1,2‐ethylenediamine (dmeen) in the presence of Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, afforded a new cationic mixed‐ligand chelate [Cu(CN‐acac)(dmeen)]⁺. Its structure was characterized spectroscopically (IR, UV/Vis, EPR) and verified by X‐ray diffraction studies as [Cu(CN‐acac)(dmeen)(H₂O)]ClO₄. The coordination of CN‐acac^– as bridging ligand leads to a polymeric helical chain, which extends in the crystallographic c axis. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that in the solid state the anion CN‐acac^– binding is envisaged through the nitrogen atom of the cyanido group, establishing an octahedral arrangement around copper, whereas in solution, the square‐planar arrangement is prevailed, in accordance with the EPR findings.     

Modifizierung von Schichtsilicaten mit sterisch anspruchsvollen Metallkomplexen. 3. Synthese und Intercalation der planar-quadratischen Komplexe [Cu(bppep)(H2O)](ClO4)2 und [Ni(bppep)(Cl)Cl] (bppep = 2,6-Bis[1-phenyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl]pyridin) in Hectorit

Modification of Layer Silicates by Sterically Demanding Metal Complexes: Synthesis and Intercalation of the Square Planar Complexes [Cu(bppep)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ and [Ni(bppep)(Cl)]Cl (bppep = 2,6-Bis[1-phenyl-1-(pyridine-2-yl)ethyl]pyridine) in Hectorite Sodium-aqua hectorite reacts with [Cu(bppep)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ and [Ni(bppep)(Cl)]Cl with exchange of the sodium-aqua cations against the complex cations [Cu(bppep)(H₂O)]²⁺ and [Ni(bppep)(Cl)]⁺, respectively. In addition, cation-anion pairs of [Cu(bppep)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ and [Ni(bppep)(Cl)]Cl are also intercalated between the hectorite layers (intersalation). On the other hand, it is possible to synthesize [Cu(bppep)(H₂O)]²⁺ or [Ni(bppep)(H₂O)]²⁺ modified hectorites without additional ion-pair intercalation (intersalation) by reaction of nickel- and copper-hectorites with the bppep ligand.