Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of transition metal compounds with 2,2'-dinitrobiphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate and N,N'-chelating ligands

Solvothermal reactions of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) salts with 2,2'-dinitrobiphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate (dnpdc) and 2,2'-bipyridyl-like chelating ligands yielded five compounds formulated as [Co(dnpdc)(bipy)](n)·nH(2)O (1), [M(dnpdc)(phen)](n) (2, M = Co; 3, M = Ni; 4, M = Zn) and [Co(dnpdc)(biql)](n)·2nH(2)O (5) (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and biql = 2,2'-biquinoline). With bipy or phen as coligands, compounds 1-4 exhibit isomorphous 3D M(dnpdc) metal-organic frameworks in which double carboxylate bridged chains are interlinked by the backbones of the dicarboxylate ligands. The bipy or phen ligands are involved in interchain hydrogen bonding or π-π interactions to form 1D zipper-like arrays in the rhombic channels of the frameworks, playing a templating role and determining the channel dimensions. The biql coligand is too bulky for the 1D double carboxylate bridged chain and the rhombic channel. Instead, in compound 5, the dnpdc ligands link metal ions into 1D zigzag metal-organic chains and the biql ligands are arranged into 2D (6,3) arrays through extensive π-π stacking interactions. In compounds 1-3, the double carboxylate bridges in the nonplanar syn-skew conformation mediate ferromagnetic interactions along the chains, while the chelating ligands provide supramolecular pathways for interchain antiferromagnetic interactions. The π-π interactions in 5 also evoke weak antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Polymeric Benzimidazole Complex of Mn(II) Bridged by Succinate

The title complex has been prepared and its crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The Mn (II) complex is seven coordinate with two benzimidazole (bimid)ligands in axial positions and two succinate and one bimid ligands in the equatorial plane. The succinate bridges Mn (II) atoms to form polymeric chains, linked by intermolecular H-bonding. Free bimid molecules occur in the crystal structure; they link Mn (II) complexes with H-bonds involving N atoms. Aromatic stacking between bimid rings is observed, resulting in a gauche confirmation of succinate in the structure. The IR spectrum is assigned based on the crystal structure. The difference of 139cm^-1 between symmetric and asymmetric stretching vibrations of carboxyl groups is in line with seven coordination at the Mn (II) atom.     

Self-assembly of nanoscale,porous T-symmetric molecular adamantanoids

Treatments of lanthanide nitrate or perchlorate and C2-symmetric 2,2'-hydroxy-1,1'-binaphthalene-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid (6,6'-H2BDA) led to diastereoselective self-assembly of nanoscale, porous molecular adamantanoids [Ln4(BDA)6(H2O)12]*12DMF (Ln = Gd, La, 1a,b). These adamantanoid clusters possess perfect T symmetry as a result of the C2-symmetric nature of BDA bridging ligands and C3-symmetric nature of lanthanide ions. Face-to-face intercluster hydrogen bonds formed between 2,2'-dihydroxyl groups of BDA ligands and carboxylate oxygen atoms direct the assembly of 3D polycages based on chiral molecular adamantanoid building blocks which possess two different types of open channels.     

Coexistence of water dimer and hexamer clusters in 3D metal-organic framework structures of Ce(III) and Pr(III) with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

Ce(NO3)3.6H2O or Pr(NO3)3.6H2O and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid form a linear coordination polymeric structure under hydrothermal conditions. Hexameric water clusters join these linear chains through bonding to the metal ions. Other coordinated water and the carboxylate oxygen form an intricate array of hydrogen bonding resulting in a 3D network where each metal ion shows 9-coordination with an approximate D3 symmetry. Dimeric water clusters are also located in the void spaces. In the structure containing Pr(III), the water dimers are hydrogen-bonded to the hexamers, whereas in the Ce(III) structure, the dimers and the hexamers are far apart.     

First 3D 3d-4f interpenetrating structure: synthesis, reaction, and characterization of {[LnCr(IDA)2(C2O4)]}n

The hydrothermal reaction of Cr(NO3)3, Ln2O3, and iminodiacetate acid (H(2)IDA) in the molar ratio of 1:1:3 produced {[LnCr(IDA)2(C2O4)]}n (Ln = Eu, 1; Sm, 2), which represent the first 3D 3d-4f interpenetrating coordination polymers. In the reaction, the H(2)IDA ligands partly decompose into oxalate anions (ox), which connect Ln(III) ions to form 1D {Ln(ox)}n chains. Each of the Cr(III) ions is tridentate-coordinated by two IDA ligands, which act as tetradentate metalloligands to link {Ln(ox)}n chains to form 3D open networks. The two open networks interpenetrate each other to form nonporous products. 1 and 2 are thermally stable up to 327 and 360 degrees C, respectively. Both of complexes show normally paramagnetic behavior. The luminescent results imply that the energy transfers from Ln(III) to Cr(III) are strong.     

First 3D Pr(III)-Ni(II)-Na(I) polymer and a 3D Pr(III) open network based on pyridine-2,4,6-tricarboxylic acid

The self-assembly of pyridine-2,4,6-tricarboxylic acid (H(3)ptc) with metal salts under hydrothermal conditions gave two novel coordination polymers, {[Pr(mu(5)-ptc)(H(2)O)(2)].1.5H(2)O}(n)() (1) and {Na(2)NiPr(mu(4)-ClO(4))(mu(2)-HOCH(2)CH(2)OH)(mu(4)-ptc)(2)(H(2)O)(8)}.4.5H(2)O}(n)() (2). 1 is a 3D open network with five ptc ligands coordinating with one metal center and carboxylate groups linking metal centers to form a (4,6) net. 2 is the first Pr/Ni/Na heterotrimetallic complex, a unique 3D framework containing four different bridged ligands in the system.     

Homochiral porous solids based on 1D coordination polymers built from 46-membered macrocycles

Six homochiral coordination polymers 1-6 based on an enantiopure elongated and bent bipyridine ligand were synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The framework structures of all six compounds were built up from similar 1D polymeric chains composed of 46-membered metallomacrocycles. Four distinct packing patterns were observed for this family of coordination polymers. With the exception of 1, the anions do not coordinate to the metal centers and reside in the open channels. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that the structures of these coordination polymers are sensitive to the anions even though they do not coordinate to the metal centers. The framework structures are somewhat tolerant of the change of metal centers and their local coordination environments. Gas sorption measurements on 1 suggest that chiral porous solids can be obtained with the present 1D coordination polymeric building blocks.     

Dithiolene complexes containing N coordinating groups and corresponding tetrathiafulvalene donors

The chemistry of transition metal dithiolene complexes containing N coordinating groups and the corresponding TTF donors, is reviewed starting from the ligand synthesis to the coordination structures where these dithiolene complexes are used as bridging units. The dithiolene ligands containing N coordinating atoms present two coordination poles which can selectively bind different metals and act as bridging units in a variety of coordination architectures. The transition metal dithiolene complexes based on these N containing ligands and the corresponding TTF donors can be themselves regarded as ligands. These can be used to coordinate other metals, potentially leading to a diversity of hetero metallic coordination architectures. With the use of appropriate auxiliary ligands they can lead to discrete metal complexes. In addition they can lead to more extended polymeric structures of different dimensionality such as 1D chains, 2D layers or even 3D polymers can also be obtained.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of a Coordination Polymer Based on Iron(Ⅱ) Carboxylate Helical Chains [Fe(bpdc)(H_2O)_2]n

A coordination polymer based on iron(II) carboxylate helical chains [Fe(bpdc)(H2O)2]n 1 has been constructed hydrothermally using H2bpdc (H2bpdc = 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid), pyridine and FeSO4·7H2O. Its crystal structure reveals that the Fe(Ⅱ) ion adopts a slightly distorted octahedron. The carboxylates of bpdc ligands alternately bridge the Fe(Ⅱ) cations to form 1D infinite helical chains. The Fe···Fe intrachain distance is 4.8246(6) . The adjacent chains are further interlinked by the coordination of bpdc ligands and hydrogen bonding to form a 3D framework. Magnetic studies for complex 1 show weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Fe(Ⅱ) ions. The best-fit for χM T vs. T with a Hamiltonian∑∑==iBiiHJSi SigHS11 leadsto g = 2.314(4) and J = -0.68(1) cm-1.     

Synthesis, characterization and structures of copper(II) complexes containing carboxylate and sulfonate groups

Four copper(II) complexes containing Schiff base and reduced Schiff base ligands derived from pyridine-2-aldehyde and amino acid containing carboxylate and sulfonate functional groups (N-(2-pyridylmethylene)-amino acid and N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-amino acid, (amino acids = ??-alanine and aminoethanesulfonic acid) namely, [Cu(Pbals)(H₂O)₂]ClO₄·H₂O 1, [Cu(Pbal)(ClO₄)(H₂O)] 2, [Cu₂(Paes)₂(ClO₄)₂]·2H₂O 3, and [Cu(Pae)(H₂O)]·ClO₄·H₂O 4 have been synthesized and characterized. The structural features of carboxylate and sulfonate donor groups have been elucidated. These copper(II) complexes demonstrate different coordination behaviour of the carboxylate and sulfonate groups. Carboxylate groups in complexes 1 and 2 bridge the metal centers and facilitate the formation of 1D helical coordination polymeric structures. In compound 3, the sulfonate groups bridge the metal centers to form a discrete dinuclear complex. In 4, the sulfonate groups link the neighbouring metal centers to form a 1D coordination polymeric structure.     

Novel Cd(II) coordination polymers with flexible disulfoxide ligands: effects of ligand spacers, terminal groups and counter anions on the complex framework formations

Five novel Cd(II) coordination polymers with three structurally related flexible disulfoxide ligands, [[Cd(L1)3](ClO4)2]n (1), [[Cd(L2)3](ClO4)2(CHCl3)]n (2), [Cd(L2)(NO3)2(H2O)]n (3), [Cd2(L3)2(NO3)4]n (4) and [[Cd(L3)3](ClO4)2]n (5), where L1= 1,3-bis(phenylsulfinyl)propane, L2= 1,4-bis(phenylsulfinyl)butane and L3= 1,4-bis(ethylsulfinyl)butane, were synthesized and structurally determined by X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 has a 2D layer structure, in which part of the L1 ligands bridge the Cd(II) ions to form double-bridging chains and the other part of ligands link such chains to form a 2D framework. Complexes 2 and 5 are isomorphous, showing unusual 2D (3,6) network structures containing triangular grids. Complex 3 adopts a 2D (4,4) network formed by L2 linking the NO3- bridged (Cd-O-N-O-)n 1D zigzag chains. By contrast, is a 1D chain, in which two Cd(II) centers are bridged by mu2-O of sulfoxide groups to form a dinuclear unit, and L3 ligands link such dinuclear units to form a 1D double-bridging chain. The structural differences among such complexes show that the ligand nature and counter anions have important influences on the complex structures, which may provide a rational method for controlling the framework formation in metal-organic coordination polymers.     

Modeling the resting state of oxalate oxidase and oxalate decarboxylase enzymes

In view of the biological and commercial interest in models for Oxalate Decarboxylases (OxDC) and Oxalate Oxidases (OxOx), we have synthesized and characterized three new Mn (II) complexes ( 1- 3) employing N3O-donor amino-carboxylate ligands (TCMA, 1,4,7-triazacyclononane- N-acetic acid; K (i) Pr 2TCMA, potassium 1,4-diisopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane- N-acetate; and KBPZG, potassium N,N-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl methyl)glycinate). These complexes were characterized by several techniques including X-ray crystallographic analysis, X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structures of 1 and 3 revealed that both form infinite polymeric chains of Mn (II) complexes linked by the pendant carboxylate arms of the TCMA (-) and the BPZG (-) ligands in a syn-antipattern. Complex 2 crystallizes as a mononuclear Mn (II) cation, six-coordinate in a distorted octahedral geometry. Although complexes 1 and 3 crystallize as polymeric chains, all compounds present the same N3O-donor set atoms around the metal center as observed in the crystallographically characterized OxDC and OxOx. Moreover, complex 2 also contains two water molecules coordinated to the Mn center as observed in the active site of OxDC and OxOx. ESI-MS spectrometry, combined with EPR, were useful techniques to establish that complexes 1- 3 are present as mononuclear Mn (II) species in solution. Finally, complexes 1- 3 are able to model the resting state active sites, with special attention focused on complex 2 which provides the first exact first coordination sphere ligand structural model for the resting states of both OxDC and OxOx.     

Self-assembled metallo-macrocycle based coordination polymers with unsymmetrical amide ligands

A series of metallo-macrocyclic based coordination polymers has been prepared from flexible amide ligands N-6-[(3-pyridylmethylamino)carbonyl]-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (L1-CH(3)) and N-6-[(4-pyridylmethylamino)carbonyl]-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (L2-CH(3)). In all but one case, self-assembled dinuclear metallo-macrocyclic units form the basis of the polymeric structures, whereby discrete metal centres, and dinuclear or trinuclear clusters, are linked by the self-assembled macrocycles to give 1D and 2D coordination polymers. In one instance, a 1D coordination polymer is formed in a reaction carried out under ambient conditions; when the same reaction is conducted under solvothermal conditions a 2D structure is formed. In all but two of these structures, the polymeric chains and nets are close-packed within the crystals. In the case of a 6,3-connected 2D coordination polymer {[Cd(3)(L2-CH(3))(3)(NO(3))(L2)(CH(3)OH)](NO(3))(2)·12?H(2)O}(n) (9), small oval channels percolate down the a-axis of the unit cell.     

Supramolecular architectures and magnetic properties of coordination polymers based on pyrazinedicarboxylato ligands showing embedded water clusters

The synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic behavior of nine transition-metal complexes based on pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylato (pz25dc) and pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylato (pz23dc) ligands are reported. The pz25dc ligand displays a bis-bidentate coordination mode, with the carboxylate groups almost coplanar with the pyrazine ring, to afford polymeric 1-D chains [Mn(1), Fe(2), Zn(3), and Cu(4 and 5)] and discrete dimeric entities [Mn(6)] when the 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) blocking ligand is used to avoid further polymerization. The nonplanar pz23dc ligand chelates to a unique copper center, while it bridges another one or two metal centers via the remaining carboxylate group, leading to 1-D polymeric chains (7), ladder chains (8), and sheets (9). The crystal packing of the metal-organic frameworks of compounds 4-9 generates voids which are occupied by assembled water molecules. The different water cluster patterns (tapes, four-membered discrete rings, and chains for compounds 6, 8, and 9, respectively) and their role in the cohesiveness of supramolecular architectures are analyzed. Thermogravimetric and variable-temperature X-ray powder diffraction studies have revealed the occurrence of reversible dehydration processes in compounds 6, 8, and 9. Furthermore, the magnetic behavior of these compounds has been studied in order to analyze the capability of the pyrazine ring to transmit magnetic interactions.     

1,3-二(4-吡啶基)-丙烷与邻苯二甲酸构筑的过渡金属配合物的合成、结构和荧光性质

以1,3-二(4-吡啶基)-丙烷(bpp)和邻苯二甲酸(1,2-H2bdc)为配体,通过水热法合成了过渡金属配合物M2(1,2-bdc)2(bpp)2·2H2O[M=Co(1),Ni(2)]和Cd(1,2-bdc)(bpp)·H2O(3).配合物1和2属单斜晶系P21空间群,具有相似的三维骨架结构.配合物中存在2种配位环境相似的金属中心,每个金属中心采取六配位的畸变八面体构型,与来自2个1,2-bdc配体的3个氧原子和2个bpp配体的2个氮原子以及1个水分子配位.1,2-bdc配体采取单齿/双齿螯合的配位模式将金属离子连接成M1-(1,2-bdc)-M2右手螺旋链.bpp配体采取Trans-Gauche(TG)构型,连接相邻的金属离子形成M1-(bpp)-M1链和M2-(bpp)-M2链.这3种链交织在一起构筑成具有{65.8}拓扑的三维结构.配合物3属单斜晶系P21/c空间群,具有单节点的双层二维结构.Cd(Ⅱ)离子采取七配位的畸变五角双锥体构型,与来自2个1,2-bdc配体的4个氧原子,2个bpp配体的2个氮原子和1个水分子配位.1,2-bdc配体采取双齿螯合/双齿螯合的配位模式将Cd(Ⅱ)离子连接成Cd-(1,2-bdc)-Cd链.bpp配体采取TG构型,连接相邻的Cd(Ⅱ)离子,形成Cd-(bpp)-Cd链.这2种链通过共享Cd(Ⅱ)离子交错排列构筑成二维结构.配合物3显示出强的荧光,最大发射位于408 nm处,对应于配体的π*-π跃迁.不同有机小分子对配合物3的荧光强度有不同程度的影响,苯胺对其有显著的猝灭作用,基于荧光猝灭机理,配合物3可用于选择性检测苯胺分子.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structure of Erbium(Ⅲ) Coordination Polymers with Two Flexible Double Betaine Ligands

1INTR0DUCTI0NLanthanidecarboxylatecomplexeshavebeenwidelystudiedt1iandm0starefoundtoexhibitavarietyofdimericorinfinitechainstructures.Recentstudiesinourlaboratoryhavedem0nstratedthattheprototypetertiaryaminebetaine(Me,N CHzC0z-)anditsderivativesareusefulinthegenerationoflanthanidecarb0xylate-likecomplexeswithnewstructuralfeaturesduetotheiroverallchargeneutralityandpossibleinclusionofvariouskindsofcounteranionsinthestructuret2~4i.Thelan-thanidecomplexesisolatedsofarhavebeenfoundtobemononu…     

Framework materials assembled from magnesium carboxylate building units

Four coordination polymers containing magnesium metal nodes and di- or tricarboxylic acid organic connectors have been synthesised and structurally characterised with the aid of single crystal X-ray diffraction. Mg3(bdc)3(DMA)4 (1) and Mg3(bdc)3(EtOH)2 (2) were prepared from the 1 : 1 reaction of 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H(2)bdc) with Mg(NO3)2.6H2O in dimethylacetamide (DMA) or EtOH respectively. Both 1 and 2 contain tri-metallic magnesium carboxylate units which act as six-coordinate nodes for network construction. These tri-magnesium nodes are joined by the bdc ligands in 1 to give a 2D layered structure with coordinated DMA solvent molecules between the layers, whereas in 2 they stack end-on to form a novel 3D network containing 1D Mg carboxylate chains. Both 1 and 2 are moderately hygroscopic, and powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis studies show them to be interconvertible with Mg(bdc) and the hydrated complex Mg(bdc)(H2O)2 via a series of solid-state reactions. Reaction of magnesium nitrate with 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid (H(2)bpdc) in DMA gives Mg3(bpdc)3(DMA)4 (3), which in contrast to 2 forms a 'squashed' 3D cubic network as a result of the increased distance between the trinuclear nodes necessitated by the longer bpdc ligands. Reaction of magnesium nitrate with the triangular organic building block 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H(3)btc) in DMA gives crystals of Mg(H(1.5)btc)2/3(btc)1/3(DMA)2.(DMA)1/3 (4). Compound 4 contains mono-metallic metal nodes which assemble with the btc ligands to give 2D 6(3) tessellated layers with Mg-coordinated DMA molecules lying perpendicular to the layers. Some free DMA is also present in 4, sited in small pores between the layers.     

Syntheses, structures and luminescent properties of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) coordination complexes based on new bis(imidazolyl)ether and different carboxylate ligands

A series of mixed-ligand coordination complexes, namely [Zn(CA)(2)(BIE)] (1), [Zn(OX)(BIE)].H(2)O (2), [Zn(2)(m-BDC)(2)(BIE)(2)] (3), [Cd(m-BDC)(BIE)] (4), [Cd(5-OH-m-BDC)(BIE)] (5), [Zn(5-OH-m-BDC)(BIE)] (6), [Zn(2)(p-BDC)(2)(BIE)(2)].2.5H(2)O (7), [Cd(3)(p-BDC)(3)(BIE)] (8), [Cd(3)(BTC)(2)(BIE)(2)].0.5H(2)O (9) and [Zn(BTCA)(0.5)(BIE)] (10), where CA = cinnamate anion, OX = oxalate anion, m-BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate anion, 5-OH-m-BDC = 5-OH-1,3-benzenedicarboxylate anion, p-BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate anion, BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate anion, BTCA = 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate anion, and BIE = 2,2'-bis(1H-imidazolyl)ether, were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. In 1, a pair of BIE ligands bridge adjacent Zn(II) atoms to give a centrosymmetric dimer. In 2 and 3, BIE ligands connect Zn(II)-carboxylate chains to form hexagonal honeycomb 6(3)-hcb and square 4(4)-sql layers, respectively. In 4 and 5, m-BDC and 5-OH-m-BDC bridge Cd(II) atoms to give dimeric units, respectively, which are further linked by BIE ligands to form sql nets. In 6, the BIE ligands extend the Zn(II)-carboxylate chains into 2D sinusoidal-like sql nets. The undulated sql nets polycatenate each other in the parallel manner with DOC (degree of catenation) = 2, yielding a rare 2D --> 3D parallel polycatenation net. In 7, the BIE and p-BDC ligands link the Zn(ii) atoms to give a rare 3-fold interpenetrated 3-connected 10(3)-ths net. 8 contains unusual edge-sharing polyhedral rods formed by [Cd(3)(CO(2))(6)] clusters. Each rod is connected by the benzene rings of p-BDC in four directions into a simple alpha-Po topology. In 9, two kinds of different 2D Cd-BTC layers are alternately linked to each other by sharing Cd(ii) centers to form a 3D framework, which is further linked by two kinds of BIE ligand to produce a complicated 3D polymeric structure. 10 possesses a unique (3,4)-connected 3D framework with (8(3))(2)(8(5).10) topology. The structural differences described indicate the importance of carboxylate ligands and metals in the framework formation of coordination complexes. The infrared spectra, thermogravimetric and luminescent properties were also investigated in detail for the compounds.     

新型三维刚柔多羧酸稀土配位聚合物，[Gd(bta)0.5(ad)0.5(H2O)]n，的水热合成、结构及热稳定性质

采用水热方法,合成出一种新颖的刚柔混合多羧酸稀土配位聚合物[Gd(bta)0.5(ad)0.5(H2O)]n(H2ad=己二酸,H4bta=1,2,4,5-均苯四甲酸),并通过元素分析、红外光谱、X射线单晶结构分析对标题配合物进行了表征。标题配合物属于单斜晶系,P21/n空间群,晶胞参数a=0.77765(18)nm,b=0.72405(17)nm,c=1.7351(4)nm,β=91.649(3)°,V=0.9766(4)nm3,Dc=2.533 g·cm-3,Z=4。结构分析表明:标题配合物结构中含有沿[100]方向的无限一维Tb-O-Tb聚合链。此Tb-O-Tb聚合链通过桥连配体1,2,4,5-均苯四甲酸与己二酸连接,最终形成复杂的三维开放网络结构。此外,我们还对标题化合物的热稳定性做了研究。     

A series of tripodal cysteine derivatives as water-soluble chelators that are highly selective for copper(I)

A series of tripodal ligands derived from nitrilotriacetic acid and extended by three converging, metal-binding, cysteine chains was synthesised. Their ability to bind soft metal ions thanks to their three thiolate functions was investigated by means of complementary analytical and spectroscopic methods. Three ligands that differ by the nature of the carbonyl group next to the coordinating thiolate functions were studied: L(1) (ester), L(2) (amide) and L(3) (carboxylate). The negatively charged derivative L(3), which bears three carboxylate functions close to the metal binding site, gives polynuclear copper(I) complexes of low stability. In contrast, the ester and amide derivatives L(1) and L(2) are efficient Cu(I) chelators with very high affinities, close to that reported for the metal-sequestering metallothioneins (log K≈19). Interestingly, these two ligands form mononuclear copper complexes with a unique MS(3) coordination in water solution. An intramolecular hydrogen-bond network involving the amide functions in the upper cavity of the tripodal ligands stabilises these mononuclear complexes and was evidenced by the very low chemical-shift temperature coefficient of the secondary amide protons. Moreover, L(1) and L(2) display large selectivities for the targeted metal ion that is, Cu(I), with respect to bioavailable Zn(II). Therefore the two sulfur-based tripods L(1) and L(2) are of potential interest for intracellular copper detoxication in vivo, without altering the homeostasis of the essential metal ion Zn(II).