Intermolecular interaction and magnetic coupling mechanism of a mixed-valence CuIICuI tetranuclear complex with iodide bridge

A tetranuclear Cu^ICu^II mixed oxidation state complex, [Cu^II ₂(μ-I)₂Cu^I ₂(μ-I)₂(phenP)₂I₂] (phenPE: 2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline), has been prepared and its crystal structure is determined by X-ray crystallography. In the complex, Cu^II is a distorted square pyramid and Cu^I is a distorted trigonal planar coordination environment; Cu^II and Cu^I are bridged by iodide. It is rare to form a Cu^II-iodide bond and for Cu^II and Cu^I to be bridged by iodide. In the crystal, there is a slipped π–π stacking between adjacent Cu^II complexes, which resulted in the formation of the 1-D chain along the c axis. The fitting for the variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data gave magnetic coupling constant 2J?=??1.16?cm^?1 and it may be ascribed to the intermolecular π–π magnetic coupling pathway.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a triple-decker CuII3TlI2 complex: first example of a thallium(I) system in the imino-phenolate Schiff base ligand family

This report deals with the synthesis, characterization, and crystal structure of a heteropentanuclear Cu^II₃Tl^I₂ compound [(Cu^IIL)₃Tl^I₂](NO₃)₂ (1), where H₂L=N,N′-ethylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldimine). This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system within space group C2/c. Each of the two symmetry related thallium(I) centers is located between a terminal and a common, central [Cu^IIL] by forming bonds with four phenoxo and three ethoxy oxygens. The three [Cu^IIL] moieties are parallel and hence 1 is a triple-decker system. Neighboring triple-decker moieties are interlinked by π?π stacking interaction and weak hydrogen bonds to generate 3-D self-assembly in 1. Salient features in the composition and structure of the title compound are discussed; the title compound is the first example of a thallium(I) system in imino-phenolate Schiff base family.     

Intermolecular interaction and magnetic coupling mechanism of a 2-D mixed-valence CuIICuI coordination polymer containing μ 1,1,3-SCN bridge

A 2-D Cu^ICu^II mixed oxidation state coordination polymer, [Cu^IICu^I(μ _1,3-SCN)₂(μ _1,1,3-SCN)(PhenE)] _n (PhenE: 2-ethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline), has been prepared and its crystal structure determined by X-ray crystallography. In the polymer, Cu^II is a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry and Cu^I has distorted tetrahedral coordination. Thiocyanate bridges in two modes, μ _1,3-SCN and μ _1,1,3-SCN, resulting in a 2-D coordination sheet. The crystal structure analysis shows that there is a splipped π–π stacking in the sheet. The fitting for the variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data gave the magnetic coupling constant 2J?=??2.72?cm^?1 and zJ′?=??2.07?cm^?1. The magnetic interaction may be mainly ascribed to intermolecular π–π magnetic coupling.     

Post‐Synthetic Monovalent Central‐Metal Exchange,Specific I2 Sensing,and Polymerization of a Catalytic [3×3] Grid of [CuII5CuI4L6]⋅(I)2⋅13 H2O

From a predesigned grid, [Cu^II₅Cu^I₄L₆] ? (I)₂ ? 13 H₂O ( 1 ), in which LH₂ was a pyrazinyl‐triazolyl‐2,6‐substituted pyridine, we successfully synthesized an extended 3D complex, ¹_∞[{Cu^II₅Cu^I₈L₆}{μ‐[Cu^I₃(CN)₆]}₂ ? 2 CH₃‐ CN] ( 2 ), that displayed unprecedented coexistence of all the five known coordination geometries of copper. Grid 1 displayed monovalent central metal exchange (CME) of Cu^I for Ag^I for the first time, as well as the formation of tri‐iodide in the crystalline state. These systems were investigated for their magnetic properties. Remarkably, grid 1 showed much higher catalytic activity than the Ag‐exchanged product for synthesis of a substituted triazole, 1‐benzyl‐4‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole.     

Copper(II) and Sodium(I) Complexes based on 3,7‐Diacetyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐5‐oxide: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Activity

The reaction of 3,7‐diacetyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (DAPTA) with metal salts of Cu^II or Na^I/Ni^II under mild conditions led to the oxidized phosphane derivative 3,7‐diacetyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐5‐oxide (DAPTA=O) and to the first examples of metal complexes based on the DAPTA=O ligand, that is, [Cu^II(μ‐CH₃COO)₂(κO‐DAPTA=O)]₂ ( 1 ) and [Na(1κOO′;2κO‐DAPTA=O)(MeOH)]₂(BPh₄)₂ ( 2 ). The catalytic activity of 1 was tested in the Henry reaction and for the aerobic 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO)‐mediated oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Compound 1 was also evaluated as a model system for the catechol oxidase enzyme by using 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol as the substrate. The kinetic data fitted the Michaelis–Menten equation and enabled the obtainment of a rate constant for the catalytic reaction; this rate constant is among the highest obtained for this substrate with the use of dinuclear Cu^II complexes. DFT calculations discarded a bridging mode binding type of the substrate and suggested a mixed‐valence Cu^II/Cu^I complex intermediate, in which the spin electron density is mostly concentrated at one of the Cu atoms and at the organic ligand.     

An Adaptable N-Heterocyclic Carbene Macrocycle Hosting Copper in Three Oxidation States

A neutral hybrid macrocycle with two trans-positioned N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and two pyridine donors hosts copper in three oxidation states (+I–+III) in a series of structurally characterized complexes ( 1 – 3 ). Redox interconversion of [LCu]^+/2+/3+ is electrochemically (quasi)reversible and occurs at moderate potentials (E_1/2=−0.45 V and +0.82 V (vs. Fc/Fc⁺)). A linear C^NHC-Cu-C^NHC arrangement and hemilability of the two pyridine donors allows the ligand to adapt to the different stereoelectronic and coordination requirements of Cu^I versus Cu^II/Cu^III. Analytical methods such as NMR, UV/Vis, IR, electron paramagnetic resonance, and Cu Kβ high-energy-resolution fluorescence detection X-ray absorption spectroscopies, as well as DFT calculations, give insight into the geometric and electronic structures of the complexes. The XAS signatures of 1 – 3 are textbook examples for Cu^I, Cu^II, and Cu^III species. Facile 2-electron interconversion combined with the exposure of two basic pyridine N sites in the reduced Cu^I form suggest that [LCu]^+/2+/3+ may operate in catalysis via coupled 2 e⁻/2 H⁺ transfer.     

A mixed‐valence chair‐like tetranuclear copper(I,II) cluster with three linking modes of the 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole ligand

In the tetranuclear copper complex tetrakis[μ‐3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolido]bis[3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolido]dicopper(I)dicopper(II) dihydrate, [Cu^I₂Cu^II₂(C₁₂H₈N₅)₆]·2H₂O, the asymmetric unit is composed of one Cu^I center, one Cu^II center, three anionic 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐BPT) ligands and one solvent water molecule. The Cu^I and Cu^II centers exhibit [Cu^IN₄] tetrahedral and [Cu^IIN₆] octahedral coordination environments, respectively. The three independent 2‐BPT ligands adopt different chelating modes, which link the copper centers to generate a chair‐like tetranuclear metallomacrocycle with metal–metal distances of about 4.4 × 6.2 Å disposed about a crystallographic inversion center. Furthermore, strong π–π stacking interactions and O—H...N hydrogen‐bonding systems link the tetracopper clusters into a two‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

Copper‐Mediated Controlled/“Living” Radical Polymerization in Polar Solvents: Insights into Some Relevant Mechanistic Aspects

The field of transition‐metal‐mediated controlled/“living” radical polymerization (CLRP) has become the subject of intense discussion regarding the mechanism of this widely‐used and versatile process. Most mechanistic analyses (atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) vs. single‐electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP)) have been based on model experiments, which cannot correctly mimic the true reaction conditions. We present, for the first time, a determination of the [Cu^IBr]/[L] (L=nitrogen‐based chelating ligand) ratio and the extent of Cu^IBr/L disproportionation during CLRP of methyl acrylate (MA) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with Cu⁰ wire as a transition‐metal catalyst source. The results suggest that Cu⁰ acts as a supplemental activator and reducing agent of Cu^IIBr₂/L to Cu^IBr/L. More importantly, the Cu^IBr/L species seem to be responsible for the activation of SET‐LRP.     

Synthesis of amphiphilic copolymer brushes: Poly(ethylene oxide)‐graft‐polystyrene

A well‐defined amphiphilic copolymer brush with poly(ethylene oxide) as the main chain and polystyrene as the side chain was successfully prepared by a combination of anionic polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The glycidol was first protected by ethyl vinyl ether to form 2,3‐epoxypropyl‐1‐ethoxyethyl ether and then copolymerized with ethylene oxide by the initiation of a mixture of diphenylmethylpotassium and triethylene glycol to give the well‐defined polymer poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐2,3‐epoxypropyl‐1‐ethoxyethyl ether); the latter was hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, and then the recovered copolymer of ethylene oxide and glycidol {poly(ethylene oxide‐co‐glycidol) [poly(EO‐co‐Gly)]} with multiple pending hydroxymethyl groups was esterified with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to produce the macro‐ATRP initiator [poly(EO‐co‐Gly)_(ATRP). The latter was used to initiate the polymerization of styrene to form the amphiphilic copolymer brushes. The object products and intermediates were characterized with ¹H NMR, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared, and size exclusion chromatography in detail. In all cases, the molecular weight distribution of the copolymer brushes was rather narrow (weight‐average molecular weight/number‐average molecular weight < 1.2), and the linear dependence of ln[M₀]/[M] (where [M₀] is the initial monomer concentration and [M] is the monomer concentration at a certain time) on time demonstrated that the styrene polymerization was well controlled. This method has universal significance for the preparation of copolymer brushes with hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) as the main chain. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4361–4371, 2006     

An Adaptable N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Macrocycle Hosting Copper in Three Oxidation States

A neutral hybrid macrocycle with two trans‐positioned N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and two pyridine donors hosts copper in three oxidation states (+I–+III) in a series of structurally characterized complexes ( 1 – 3 ). Redox interconversion of [LCu]^+/2+/3+ is electrochemically (quasi)reversible and occurs at moderate potentials (E_1/2=?0.45 V and +0.82 V (vs. Fc/Fc⁺)). A linear C^NHC‐Cu‐C^NHC arrangement and hemilability of the two pyridine donors allows the ligand to adapt to the different stereoelectronic and coordination requirements of Cu^I versus Cu^II/Cu^III. Analytical methods such as NMR, UV/Vis, IR, electron paramagnetic resonance, and Cu Kβ high‐energy‐resolution fluorescence detection X‐ray absorption spectroscopies, as well as DFT calculations, give insight into the geometric and electronic structures of the complexes. The XAS signatures of 1 – 3 are textbook examples for Cu^I, Cu^II, and Cu^III species. Facile 2‐electron interconversion combined with the exposure of two basic pyridine N sites in the reduced Cu^I form suggest that [LCu]^+/2+/3+ may operate in catalysis via coupled 2 e^?/2 H⁺ transfer.     

Huge dielectric response and molecular motions in paddle-wheel [Cu(II)2(adamantylcarboxylate)4(DMF)2]⋅(DMF)2

The temperature‐dependent dynamic properties of [Cu^II₂(ADCOO)₄(DMF)₂]?(DMF)₂ ( 1 ) and [Cu^II₂(ADCOO)₄(AcOEt)₂] ( 2 ) crystals were examined by X‐ray crystallography, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and measurements of the dielectric constants and magnetic susceptibilities (ADCOO=adamantane carboxylate, DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide, and AcOEt=ethyl acetate). In both crystals, four ADCOO groups bridged a binuclear Cu^II? Cu^II bond, forming a paddle‐wheel [Cu^II₂(ADCOO)₄] structure. The oxygen atoms of two DMF molecules in crystal 1 and two AcOEt molecules in crystal 2 were coordinated at axial positions of the [Cu^II₂(ADCOO)₄] moiety, forming [Cu^II₂(ADCOO)₄(DMF)₂] and [Cu^II₂(ADCOO)₄(AcOEt)₂], respectively. Two additional DMF molecules were included in the unit cell of crystal 1 , whereas AcOEt was not included in the unit cell of crystal 2 . The structural analyses of crystal 1 at 300 K showed three‐fold rotation of the adamantyl groups, whereas rotation of the adamantyl groups of crystal 2 at 300 K was not observed. Thermogravimetric measurements of crystal 1 indicated a gradual elimination of DMF upon increasing the temperature above 300 K. The dynamic behavior of the crystallized DMF yielded significant temperature‐dependent dielectric responses in crystal 1 , which showed a huge dielectric peak at 358 K in the heating process. In contrast, only small frequency‐dependent dielectric responses were observed in crystal 2 because of the freezing of the molecular rotation of the adamantyl groups. The magnetic behavior was dominated by the strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the two S=1/2 spins of the Cu^II? Cu^II site, with magnetic exchange energies (J) of ?265 K (crystal 1 ) and ?277 K (crystal 2 ).     

Chemical characteristics of the products of the complexation reaction between copper(II) and a tetra-aza macrocycle in the presence of chloride ions

The reaction of copper(II) perchlorate with the hydrochloride salt of 3,6,9,15-tetra-azabicyclo[9.3.1]penta-deca-1,11,13-triene (L1) in acetonitrile forms two macrocyclic complexes that can be characterized: [L1Cu^IICl][ClO₄] (1) and [L1Cu^IICl]₂[CuCl₄] (2). The structural, electronic, and redox properties of these complexes were studied using spectroscopy (EPR and UV–visible) and electrochemistry. In addition, the solid-state structure of 1 was obtained using X-ray diffraction. The copper(II) is five-coordinate ligated by four N-atoms of the macrocycle and a chloride atom. EPR studies of 1 both in DMF and aqueous solution indicate the presence of a single copper(II) species. In contrast, EPR studies of 2 performed in frozen DMF and in the solid-state reveal the presence of two spectroscopically distinct copper(II) complexes assigned as [L1Cu^IICl]⁺ and [Cu^IICl₄]^2?. Lastly, electrochemical studies demonstrate that both [L1Cu^IICl]⁺ and [Cu^IICl₄]^2? are redox active. Specifically, the [L1Cu^IICl]⁺ undergoes a quasi-reversible Cu(II)/(I) redox reaction in the absence of excess chloride. In the presence of chloride, however, the chemical irreversibility of this couple becomes evident at concentrations of chloride that exceed 50 mM. As a result, the presence of chloride from the chemical equilibrium of this latter species impedes the reversibility of the reduction of [L1Cu^IICl]⁺ to [L1Cu^ICl]⁰.     

The dangers of using KBr,KI and CaI2 as mulling agents during the preparation of infrared discs of complexes

Tribochemical reactions of KBr, KI and CaI₂ with [Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]1/2H₂O (L = formylhydrazine) give novel Cu^I and Cu^II complexes, which have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral (i.r., u.v.–vis., ¹H-n.m.r.) and magnetic measurements. The i.r. spectra indicate that (L) behaves in a monodentate manner, coordinating via the azomethine nitrogen (C-N) group in the Cu^II complexes, but behaving as a bidentate ligand, via the carbonyl oxygen and NH₂ groups in the Cu^I complexes. KI and CaI₂ react with [Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]-1/2H₂O in the solid state, accompanied by a colour change, substitution of the chloride by iodide ions, and reduction of Cu^II to Cu^I to give complexes with formulae [Cu(L)I(EtOH)_1/2] and [Cu_1.7(L)I_1.7(EtOH)_1/2]. On the other hand, the tribochemical reaction of KBr with [Cu(L)Cl₂(EtOH)_3/2(H₂O)]1/2H₂O is accompanied by a colour change; substitution of the chloride by bromide ions, but without reduction of Cu^II and yields a complex of formula [Cu(L)₂Br₂(EtOH)(H₂O)]1/2EtOH. The spectral and magnetic results suggest a distorted octahedral geometry for the Cu^II complexes while a tetrahedral geometry around the Cu^I ion. The non-stoichiometric structure of [Cu_1.7(L)I_1.7(EtOH)_1/2] is discussed.     

Synthesis and metal complexation studies of [2n]thiacalix[m]arene[m]pyrazine

Novel [2_n]thiacalixarenepyrazine and [2_n]thiacalixarenetriazine systems were synthesised by one-pot S_NAr reactions. A screening of the metal-complexing ability of [2₆]hexathiacalix[3]arene[3]pyrazine revealed its affinity for Cu^I, Cu^II and Ag^I metal salts.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the novel mixed-valence copper coordination polymer constructed from two kinds of inorganic units

A novel mixed-valence Cu^I/Cu^II coordination polymer [Cu^I(μ₂-Cl)Cu^II(μ₃-S)(Phen)] _n (I) (Phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that a unique one-dimensional infinite chain-like structure is constructed by two unusual zigzag chains of [CuCl] _n and [CuS] _n . Both of the zigzag chains are used as the second building units (SBU) to produce a 2D helix-like layer at the aid of the C-H...Cl hydrogen bonding interactions between Phen groups and [CuCl] _n chains. An interesting three-dimensional network is formed with the supramolecular van der Waals contacting among the 2D layers. Finally, the magnetic properties of the title compound have been investigated in the temperature range 2–300 K.     

Komplexe mit makrocyclischen Liganden,II. Zweischrittmechanismus bei der Komplexbildung von Cu2+ mit meso-5,7,7,12,14,14-Hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecan

The complex formation between Cu^II and the title compound (tet a) is studied by spectrophotometry and pH-stat techniques. Between pH 4 and 5,5 the reaction proceeds in two steps, the first giving a blue intermediate, Cu(teta)²⁺ (blue), exhibiting a broad absorption band at 620 nm. Titration with NaOH and the absorption spectrum suggest that, in the intermediate, Cu^II is coordinated to only two amino groups of the ligand. Both steps are slow compared to other complex formation reactions of Cu^II. The rate of the first step, in which Cu(tet a)²⁺ (blue) is formed, is given by v₁ = k₁ · [Cu²⁺] [(tet a) H]/[H⁺] with k₁ = 2,7 · 10^?6 s^?1 at 40° and I = 0,1. In the second step the last two nitrogens of the quadridentate ligand are bound to Cu^II, giving the mauve end product. The rate of this step is given by v₂ = k₂ · [Cu(tet a)OH⁺ (blue)] [OH^?] with k₂ = 1,2 · 10³ M^?1 s^?1 at 50° and I = 0,5.     

The coordination chemistry of two symmetric double‐armed oxadiazole‐bridged organic ligands with copper salts

Two new symmetric double‐armed oxadiazole‐bridged ligands, 4‐methyl‐{5‐[5‐methyl‐2‐(pyridin‐3‐ylcarbonyloxy)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl}phenyl pyridine‐3‐carboxylate (L1) and 4‐methyl‐{5‐[5‐methyl‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐ylcarbonyloxy)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl}phenyl pyridine‐4‐carboxylate (L2), were prepared by the reaction of 2,5‐bis(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole with nicotinoyl chloride and isonicotinoyl chloride, respectively. Ligand L1 can be used as an organic clip to bind Cu^II cations and generate a molecular complex, bis(4‐methyl‐{5‐[5‐methyl‐2‐(pyridin‐3‐ylcarbonyloxy)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl}phenyl pyridine‐3‐carboxylate)bis(perchlorato)copper(II), [Cu(ClO₄)₂(C₂₈H₂₀N₄O₅)₂], (I). In compound (I), the Cu^II cation is located on an inversion centre and is hexacoordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry, with the pyridine N atoms of two L1 ligands in the equatorial positions and two weakly coordinating perchlorate counter‐ions in the axial positions. The two arms of the L1 ligands bend inward and converge at the Cu^II coordination point to give rise to a spirometallocycle. Ligand L2 binds Cu^I cations to generate a supramolecule, diacetonitriledi‐μ₃‐iodido‐di‐μ₂‐iodido‐bis(4‐methyl‐{5‐[5‐methyl‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐ylcarbonyloxy)phenyl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl}phenyl pyridine‐4‐carboxylate)tetracopper(I), [Cu₄I₄(CH₃CN)₂(C₂₈H₂₀N₄O₅)₂], (II). The asymmetric unit of (II) indicates that it contains two Cu^I atoms, one L2 ligand, one acetonitrile ligand and two iodide ligands. Both of the Cu^I atoms are four‐coordinated in an approximately tetrahedral environment. The molecule is centrosymmetric and the four I atoms and four Cu^I atoms form a rope‐ladder‐type [Cu₄I₄] unit. Discrete units are linked into one‐dimensional chains through π–π interactions.     

Electrochemical and quantum chemical investigation of the CuI and CuII complexes with biquinolyl monomer and polymer ligands

Structural reorganization of polyamide (PA) and low-molecular-weight Cu^I and Cu^II complexes with biquinolyl (biQ) ligands during their mutual redox transformations in solution was studied using the electrochemical methods (cyclic voltammetry and preparative electrolysis) and quantum chemical DFT calculations. The influence of electronic factors and geometry distortions in the complexes on the ionization energy on going from Cu^I to Cu^II was evaluated in comparison. The catalytically active form of the [Cu^I(PA)L₂]BF₄ complex can be synthesized in situ from the stable tetrahedral complex [Cu^I(PA)₂]BF₄ by the series of successive redox transitions Cu^I → Cu^II → Cu^I accompanied by the loss of one biQ-containing macroligand. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 7, pp. 1331–1340, July, 2007.     

Synthesis of basic molecular brushes: ATRP of 4-vinylpyridine in organic media

A poly(2-(2-bromopropionyloxy)ethyl methacrylate) (PBPEM) was used as macroinitiator in the synthesis of molecular brushes with poly(4-vinylpyridine) side chains, (P(BPEM-g-4VP). Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was employed as the polymerization technique. The polymerizations were carried out in DMF at 30 °C using a copper-chloride-based ATRP catalyst, which converted all the dormant polymer chain ends to alkyl chloride groups, thus minimizing branching and crosslinking, which occurred when a copper bromide-based catalyst was employed. Tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine was selected as the ligand due to the high activity of its Cu^I complex in ATRP as well as its strong binding to both Cu^I and Cu^II, which prevented competitive complexation of the monomer or polymer to the metal center. In order to prevent crosslinking via radical coupling, the monomer conversion was kept low (under 3%) and the alkyl chloride end groups of P4VP side chains were converted to alkoxyamines upon activation followed by a reaction with TEMPO radical. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed the hydrodynamic diameter (D_H) of the brushes was pH-dependent. Aggregation of single P(BPEM-g-4VP) brushes in water was very pronounced at high pH values but was observed even when the amount of added HCl was enough to completely protonate the pyridine units (D_H = 278 nm).     

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

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