Cyclic voltammetric studies of copper(II) amino acid complexes: electrochemical evidence for the generation of copper(I) complex as an intermediate

The reduction of the title complexes is studied by cyclic voltammetry in aqueous media. It proceeds through a one-electron process generating the corresponding copper(I) amino acid complexes. The reduced copper(I) species undergo chemical reactions generating Cu(O) at the mercury electrode. The unreacted fraction of the copper(I) species is re-oxidised to the copper(II) complexes. The Cu(O) generated undergo a two-electron oxidation to Cu²⁺ at less cathodic potentials which get reduced to Cu(O) subsequently. pH-dependence of these complexes is also investigated.     

Reduction of copper(II) ions in polyacrylic acid-polyethyleneimine complexes using X-ray radiation

The specifics of X-ray-induced reduction of copper(II) ions in the polyacrylic acid-polyethyleneimine-copper(II) (PAA-PEI-Cu²⁺) complexes were studied. It was found that the action of radiation led to the effective reduction of Cu²⁺ in the PAA-PEI-Cu²⁺ films swollen in an aqueous-alcohol medium. The formation of metal nanoparticles in irradiated samples was revealed by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. Analysis of ESR data has demonstrated that the Cu²⁺ reduction rate increases with an increase in the initial concentration of copper ions in the samples. Formal yields of the radiation-chemical reduction of Cu²⁺ in the PAA-PEI complex films were found to be quite high (>100 ions per100 eV of energy absorbed by the swollen film), which can be explained by involvement of the radiolysis products of aqueous alcoholic solutions (outer medium) in the reduction processes.     

Synthesis,spectral, magnetic,electrochemical and catalytic studies of cyclam-based copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes–effect of N-substitution

New N-substituted cyclam ligands 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl)benzyl]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl)benzyl]-4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-bromo)benzyl]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, and 1,8-[bis(3-formyl-2-hydroxy-5-bromo)benzyl]-4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L¹–L⁴) were synthesized and mononuclear copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes prepared. The ligands and complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, electronic, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectral studies. N-alkylation causes red shifts in the λ_max values of the complexes. Copper(II) complexes show one-electron, quasi-reversible reduction waves in the range ?1.04 to ?1.00 V. The nickel(II) complexes show one-electron, quasi-reversible reduction waves in the range ?1.18 to ?1.30 V and one-electron, quasi-reversible oxidation waves in the range +1.20 to +1.40 V. The reduction potential of the copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of the ligands L¹ to L² and L³ to L⁴ shift anodically on N-alkylation. The ESR spectra of the mononuclear copper(II) complexes show four lines, characteristic of square-planar geometry with nuclear hyperfine spin 3/2. All copper(II) complexes show a normal room temperature magnetic moment value μ_eff?=?1.70–1.74 BM which is close to the spin only value of 1.73 BM. Kinetic studies on the oxidation of pyrocatechol to o-quinone using the copper(II) complexes as catalysts and on the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenylphosphate using the copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes as catalyst were carried out. The tetra-N-substituted complexes have higher rate constants than the corresponding disubstituted complexes.     

New Copper（Ⅱ） and Nickel（Ⅱ） Complexes of 4-Morpholinoacetophenone Thiosemicarbazone： Structural, Electrochemical and Antimicrobial Studies

4-Morpholinoacetophenone thiosemicarbazone, MAPT, and its nickel（Ⅱ） and copper（Ⅱ） complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, spectral methods （FT-IR, ^1H NMR） and cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical behaviors of the complexes have been studied by cyclic voltammetry in DMF media showing metal centered reduction processes for both of them. The redox properties, nature of the electrode processes and the stability of the complexes were discussed. [Cu（MAPT）2]Cl2 complex shows Cu（Ⅱ）/Cu（Ⅰ） couple and quasi-reversible wave associated with the Cu（Ⅲ）/Cu（Ⅱ） process. The reduction/oxidation potential values depend on the structures of complexes. Also, the antimicrobial activities of these complexes were determined against S. aureus, E. coli and B. subtilis.     

Cyclic voltammetric studies of copper(II) dipeptide complexes. Evidence for copper(I) dipeptide complexes in aqueous media

The reduction of the title complexes was studied by cyclic voltammetry in aqueous media. It proceeds through a one-electron process generating intermediate copper(I) dipeptide complexes. The copper(I) dipeptide complexes are found to be short-lived and undergo transformations eventually generating Cu⁰ at the mercury electrode. The unchanged fraction of the copper(I) species is re-oxidised to the copper(II) complexes. The Cu⁰ generated undergoes a two-electron oxidation at a more anodic potential than the copper(I) complexes. pH-dependence of the title complexes is also investigated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis,characterization, fluorescence and redox features of new <Emphasis Type="Italic">vic</Emphasis>-dioxime ligand bearing pyrene and its metal complexes

A new vic-dioxime ligand, N,N′-bis(aminopyreneglyoxime) (LH₂), and its copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) metal complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UVVIS and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra (for the ligand). Mononuclear complexes were synthesized by a reaction of ligand (LH₂) and salts of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) in ethanol. The complexes have the metal-ligand ratio of 1: 2 and metals are coordinated by N,N′ atoms of vicinal dioximes. The ligand acts in a polydentate fashion bending through nitrogen atoms in the presence of a base, as do most vic-dioximes. Detection of a H-bonding in the Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes by IR revealed the square-planar MN₄ coordination of mononuclear complexes. Fluorescent properties of the ligand and its complexes arise from pyrene units conjugated with a vic-dioxime moiety. Fluorescence emission spectra of the ligand showed a drastic decrease in its fluorescence intensity upon metal binding. The electrochemical properties of the complexes were studied by the cyclic voltammetry technique. The nickel complex displayed an irreversible oxidation process while the copper complex exhibited a quasi-reversible oxidation and reduction processes based on the copper Cu(II)/Cu(III) and Cu(II)/Cu(I) couples, respectively.     

Synthesis,spectral, magnetic,electrochemical and kinetic studies of copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes derived from a phenol-based unsymmetrical “end-off” ligand

A new unsymmetrical end-off, aminomethylated N-methylpiperazine and aminomethylated diethanolamine armed binucleating ligand, 2-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)aminomethyl]-6-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-4-formylphenol (HL), was synthesized by following sequential aromatic Mannich reactions. Mononuclear and binuclear Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental and spectral analysis. The EPR spectrum of the mononuclear copper complex shows four hyperfine splittings and the binuclear complex shows a broad signal due to anti-ferromagnetic interaction. The room temperature magnetic moment of the mono and binuclear copper complexes are 1.72 and 2.68 BM, respectively. Variable temperature magnetic moment study of the binuclear copper(II) complex shows weak antiferromagnetic coupling (?2J value, 21 cm^?1). The mononuclear Ni(II) complex is square planar and diamagnetic. The six-coordinate binuclear Ni(II) complex shows a magnetic moment of 3.06 BM. Electrochemical studies of the complexes reveal that all mononuclear complexes show a single irreversible one-electron reduction wave and the binuclear complexes show two irreversible one-electron reduction waves in the cathodic region. Catecholase activity of copper(II) complexes using pyrocatechol as a model substrate and the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenylphosphate using copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes as catalysts showed that binuclear complexes have higher rate constants than corresponding mononuclear complexes.     

Thermal and structural studies of the chloro complexes of cobalt and copper with 2-amino-3-methylpyridine

The chloro complexes of 2-amino-3-methylpyridine with cobalt(II) and copper(II) have been prepared in ethanolic solution and solid compounds have been isolated. The compounds have stoichiometry ML₂Cl₂ whereM is Co²⁺ or Cu²⁺ and L is 2-amino-3-methylpyridine. Spectral and magnetic studies have been used to obtain information about the environment of the metal ion in these compounds. The compounds have tetrahedral structures. The thermal decomposition of each compound has been studied using thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis. Thermogravimetry studies show that the cobalt complex forms an intermediate compound before the metal oxide is produced while the copper compound undergoes decomposition with loss of organic ligand and the formation of copper chloride which then decomposes to give an oxide of copper. The enthalpy of reaction for each of the processes has been calculated from the thermal analysis curves.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure and antimicrobial activities of new transN,N-substituted macrocyclic dioxocyclam and their copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes

New trans-disubstituted macrocyclic ligands, 1,8-[N,N-bis(3-formyl-12-hydroxy-5-methyl)benzyl]-5,12-dioxo-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L¹), 1,8-[N,N-bis(3-formyl-12-hydroxy-5-bromo)benzyl]-5,12-dioxo-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L²), N,N-bis[1,8-dibenzoyl]-5,12-dioxo-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L³), N,N-bis[1,8-(2-nitrobenzoyl)]-5,12-dioxo-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L⁴), and N,N-bis[1,8-(4-nitrobenzoyl)]-5,12-dioxo-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (L⁵) were synthesized. The ligands were characterized by elemental analysis, FT IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectrometry studies. The crystal structure of L¹ is also reported. The copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of these ligands were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, FT IR, UV-Vis and mass spectral studies. The cyclic voltammogram of the complexes of ligand L^1-3 show one-electron quasi-reversible reduction wave in the region −0.65 to −1.13 V, whereas that of L⁴ and L⁵ show two quasi-reversible reduction peaks. Nickel(II) complexes show one electron quasi-reversible oxidation wave at a positive potential in the range +0.95 to +1.06 V. The ESR spectra of the mononuclear copper(II) complexes show four lines, characteristic of square-planar geometry with nuclear hyperfine spin 3/2. All copper(II) complexes show a normal room temperature magnetic moment value μ_eff 1.70-1.73 BM which is close to the spin only value of 1.73 BM. Kinetic studies on the oxidation of pyrocatechol to o-quinone using the copper(II) complexes as catalysts and hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenylphosphate using the copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes as catalysts were carried out. The ligands and their complexes were also screened for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and human pathogenic fungi.     

Transfer of Copper from an Amyloid to a Natural Copper‐Carrier Peptide with a Specific Mediating Ligand

The oxidative stress that arises from the catalytic reduction of dioxygen by Cu^II/I‐loaded amyloids is the major pathway for neuron death that occurs in Alzheimer’s disease. In this work, we show that bis‐8(aminoquinoline) ligands, copper(II) specific chelators, are able to catalytically extract Cu^II from Cu–Aβ_1–16 and then completely release Cu^I in the presence of glutathione to provide a Cu^I–glutathione complex, a biological intermediate that is able to deliver copper to apo forms of copper–protein complexes. These data demonstrate that bis‐8(aminoquinolines) can perform the transfer of copper ions from the pathological Cu–amyloid complexes to regular copper–protein complexes. These copper‐specific ligands assist GSH to recycle Cu^I in an AD brain and consequently slow down oxidative damage that is due to copper dysregulation in Alzheimer’s disease. Under the same conditions, we have shown that the copper complex of PBT2, a mono(8‐hydroxyquinoline) previously used as a drug candidate, does not efficiently release copper in the presence of GSH. In addition, we report that GSH itself was unable to fully abstract copper ions from Cu–β‐amyloid complexes.     

Carbon-13 N.m.r. and I.r. Studies of copper(I) complexes of the — NHCS group in five- and six-membered heterocyclic rings

Summary Crystalline copper(I) complexes of the general formula [LCuCl] and [L₂CuCl] were prepared for imidazolidine-2-thiones and 1,3-diazinane-2-thiones by the reduction of copper(II) halides with an excess of the ligands. The¹³C n.m.r. and i.r. spectra of these complexes are consistent with thione sulphur (ligand) donation in all cases. The magnitude of the high-field shift in the¹³C resonance of the thioureide carbon in the complexes as compared with that of the free ligands is interpreted in terms of coordination geometry around the metal atoms. A comparison of the chemical shifts for gold(I), silver(I) and copper(I) revealed a displacement ofca. 6–8 ppm for the mono- and 2–4 ppm for the bis-complexes, respectively.     

In vitro anti‐proliferative and in silico docking studies of heteroleptic copper(II) complexes of pyridazine‐based ligands and ciprofloxacin

Three heteroleptic copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(L^1–3)(cf)(ClO₄)] ( 1 – 3 ), where cf = ciprofloxacin, have been synthesized using pyridazine‐based ligands 3‐chloro‐6‐(salicylidenehydrazinyl)pyridazine (HL¹), 3‐chloro‐6‐(4‐diethylaminosalicylidenehydrazinyl)pyridazine (HL²) and 3‐chloro‐6‐(5‐bromosalicylidenehydrazinyl)pyridazine (HL³). Electronic spectral data and magnetic moment values suggest octahedral geometry for the synthesized copper(II) complexes. Electrochemical data of the copper(II) complexes present an irreversible one‐electron reduction wave in the cathodic potential region (E_pc) between ?0.631 and ?0.670 V. Frontier molecular orbital calculations were carried out, and the obtained low‐energy gap supports the bio‐efficacy of the complexes. All the complexes were screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity activity against three human cancerous (breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7), hepatoma (HepG‐2) and cervical (HeLa)) and one non‐cancerous (non‐tumorigenic human dermal fibroblast (NHDF)) cell lines using MTT assay, in which complex 2 exhibited higher activity. The apoptosis induction by the complexes was analysed using the Hoechst dye staining method with MCF‐7 cell line, which indicates higher apoptotic activity of complex 2 . A molecular docking study was carried out to ascertain the binding affinity of the synthesized heteroleptic copper(II) complexes with phosphoinositide 3‐kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) receptor.     

Transfer of copper between bis(thiosemicarbazone) ligands and intracellular copper-binding proteins. insights into mechanisms of copper uptake and hypoxia selectivity

Bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complexes Cu(II)(Btsc) have attracted interest as promising metallodrugs and, in particular, as copper radiopharmaceuticals. Prototypes Cu(Atsm) and Cu(Gtsm) are membrane-permeable, but their metabolisms in cells are distinctly different: copper that is delivered by Cu(Gtsm) is trapped nonselectively in all cells, whereas copper that is delivered by Cu(Atsm) is retained selectively in hypoxic cells but is "washed out" readily in normal cells. We have studied copper-transfer reactions of these two complexes under various conditions, aiming to model their cellular chemistry. In Me2SO, both complexes exhibited reversible one-electron-reduction processes with Cu(Atsm) being more difficult to reduce than Cu(Gtsm) (E(1/2)'=-0.60 and -0.44 V, respectively, vs AgCl/Ag). Upon introduction of an aqueous buffer into Me2SO, the electrochemical reduction remained chemically reversible for Cu(Atsm) but became irreversible for Cu(Gtsm). However, the estimated difference in their reduction potentials did not change. Chromophoric ligand anions bicinchonate (Bca) and bathocuproine disulfonate (Bcs) were used as Cu(I) indicators to trace the destinations of copper in the reactions and to mimic cellular Cu(I)-binding components ("sinks"). While both BtscH2 ligands have high affinities for Cu(I) (KD in the picomolar range), they cannot compete with Cu(I) sinks such as the copper-binding proteins Atx1 and Ctr1c (or a mimic such as Bcs). In the presence of these proteins, reduction of Cu(II)(Btsc) leads to irreversible transfer of copper to the protein ligands. Endogenous reductants ascorbate and glutathione can reduce Cu(II)(Gtsm) in the presence of such protein ligands but cannot reduce Cu(II)(Atsm). These properties establish a strong correlation between the contrasting cellular retention properties of these complexes and their different reduction potentials. The endogenous reductants in normal cells appear to be able to reduce Cu(II)(Gtsm) but not Cu(II)(Atsm), allowing the latter to be washed out. The more reducing environment of hypoxic cells leads to reduction of Cu(II)(Atsm) and retention of its copper.     

Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes with bis(azomethine)—a condensation product of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-formyl-5-mercaptopyrazole with 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol

The copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes based on bis(azomethine), which is the condensation product of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-formyl-5-mercaptopyrazole with 1,3-diaminopropan-2-ol, are synthesized. Bis-azomethines can form both binuclear and mononuclear complexes in which the hydroxy group is not involved in coordination. The binuclear copper(II) complexes with the acetate and pyrazolate bridges exhibit an antiferromagnetic exchange, which strength is determined by the nature of the bridge (2J = ?154 and ?424 cm^?1, respectively). The structure parameters of the coordination spheres of the complexes are determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The structure of the CHCl₃ solvate of the binuclear copper(II) complex with the pyrazolate bridge is solved by X-ray diffraction analysis (CIF file CCDC 964655).     

Cathodic and anodic stripping determination of traces of adenine and adenosine based on accumulation of copper(I) compounds at mercury or amalgam electrodes

In the presence of adenine and adenosine, the copper(II)/copper(Hg) couple splits to the copper(II)/copper(I) and copper(I)/copper(Hg) couples. Sparingly soluble complexes of copper(I) with adenine and adenosine can be accumulated on the electrode surface either by reduction of Cu(II) ions or by oxidation of the copper amalgam electrode. The copper(I)/adenine deposit can be stripped either cathodically or anodically with detection limits of 5×10^?9 and 2×10^?8 mol dm^?3, respectively. The copper(I)/ adenosine complex yields only the cathodic stripping peak with a detection limit of 9×10^?6 mol dm^?3. The stripping peaks obtained for the copper(I)/adenine and copper(I)/ adenosine complexes are better defined and appear over a wider range of pH than the peaks related to the corresponding mercury compounds. Adenosine cannot be determined in the presence of adenine bur adenine can be determined in the presence of moderate amounts of adenosine.     

A Photoreducible Copper(II)‐Tren Complex of Practical Value: Generation of a Highly Reactive Click Catalyst

A detailed study on the photoreduction of the copper(II) precatalyst 1 to generate a highly reactive cuprous species for the copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction is presented. For the photoactive catalyst described herein, the activation is driven by a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process harnessing a benzophenone‐like ketoprofenate chromophore as a photosensitizer, which is equally the counterion. The solvent is shown to play a major role in the Cu^II to Cu^I reduction process as the final electron source, and the influence of the solvent nature on the photoreduction efficiency has been studied. Particular attention was paid to the use of water as a potential solvent, aqueous media being particularly appealing for CuAAC processes. The ability to solubilize the copper‐tren complexes in water through the formation of inclusion complexes with β‐CDs is demonstrated. Data is also provided on the fate of the copper(I)‐tren catalytic species when reacting with O₂, O₂ being used to switch off the catalysis. These data show that partial oxidation of the secondary benzylamine groups of the ligand to benzylimines occurs. Preliminary results show that when prolonged irradiation times are employed a Cu^I to Cu⁰ over‐reduction process takes place, leading to the formation of copper nanoparticles (NPs). Finally, the main objective of this work being the development of photoactivable catalysts of practical value for the CuAAC, the catalytic, photolatent, and recycling properties of 1 in water and organic solvents are reported.     

Dinuclear Mesogens with Antiferromagnetic Properties

Herein, two new groups of isomeric bimetallic nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes containing pyrazine or pyrimidine rings are synthesized and examined. The complexes exhibit liquid‐crystalline columnar phases in a broad temperature range. For the copper(II) complexes, super‐exchange coupling between two Cu^II ions is observed. For the pyrimidine derivative in which the paramagnetic Cu^II ions are separated only by three atoms, an antiferromagnetic spin alignment is detected. When the distance between Cu^II ions increases to four atoms in the pyrazine derivative, the magnetic interaction becomes significantly weaker.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antimicrobial activities of nickel(II) and copper(II) Schiff-base complexes

Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes of simple unsymmetrical Schiff-base ligands derived from salicylaldehyde/5-methylsalicylaldehyde and ethylenediamine or diaminomaleonitrile (DMN) were synthesized. The ligands and their complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, FT IR, and mass spectroscopy. The electronic spectra of the complexes show d–d transitions in the region at 450–600 nm. Electrochemical studies of the complexes reveal that all mononuclear complexes show a one-electron quasi-reversible reduction wave in the cathodic region. ESR spectra of the mononuclear copper(II) complexes show four lines, characteristic of square-planar geometry, with nuclear hyperfine spin 3/2. The copper(II) complexes show a normal room temperature magnetic moment value μ _eff = 1.70–1.74 BM which is close to the spin only value of 1.73 BM. Kinetic studies on the oxidation of pyrocatechol to o-quinone using the copper(II) complexes as catalysts were also carried out. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the investigated compounds was tested against human pathogenic bacterias such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The antifungal activity was tested against Candida albicans. Generally, the metal complexes have higher antimicrobial activity than the free ligands.     

Electron spin resonance studies on some copper(II) complexes with a few nitrogen donors derived from pyridine

Electron spin resonance spectral studies have been made on copper(II) chloride, bromide, thiocyanate and sulphate complexes with some pyridine derivatives, viz. nicotinic acid (NA), nicotinamide (NICA) and isonicotinamide (INA) in solid and DMF-solution states to see the effect of different anions on the Spin-Hamiltonian parameters at the paramagnetic site for a particular ligand. The spectra of the complexes for a particular anion are almost comparable suggesting the same local symmetry for them. Analysis of the ESR data reveals axial symmetry for all the complexes, except Cu(NA)₂SO₄ for which a rhombic symmetry is suggested. The study shows the interaction of solvent (DMF) molecules with copper(II) ion in the axial plane as evident from the differences in 295 and 77 K g_| values. Moreover, the spectra are consistent with the complete absence or negligbly small copper(II)—copper(II) interactions (in few cases) in these complexes. The various Spin-Hamiltonian parameters calculated from ESR data indicate the presence of an unpaired electron in the d_x²−y² orbital of the copper(II) ion with the additional possibility of a d_xy ground state for Cu(NA)₂SO₄.     

Coordination compounds of hydrazine derivatives with transition metals. Part 27. Coordination chemistry of 4-amino-3-alkyl-5-thio-1,2,4-triazolines and 4-amino-5-oxo-3-thioxo-6-alkyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazines

Summary Mono-, bis- and tris-ligand nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with 4 amino-3-alkyl-5-thio-1,2,4-triazolines (HRL) (R=H, Me, or Et) and 4-amino-5-oxo-3-thioxo-6-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazine (HL') have been prepared and characterized. In these complexes both HRL and HL' are in the neutral thione form. Nickel(II) and cobalt(II) complexes with mononegative thiolate ligands have been also isolated.The reaction of HL' with copper(II) salts in a molar ration of 11 results in the formation of [Cu(HL')X] (X=Cl or Br) and Cu(L')X (X=NO₃ or CH₃COO). However, in the presence of a large excess of HL' the reaction proceeds with partial reduction of Cu^II and both [Cu(HL')X₂] and [Cu(HL')₂]X have been isolated and characterized. The mechanism of copper(II) reduction by HL' is discussed.