New half sandwich Ru(II) coordination compounds for anticancer activity

With the aim of expanding the structure-activity relationship investigation, the series of Ru(II) half sandwich coordination compounds of the type [Ru([9]aneS3)(chel)(L)](n+) previously described by us (where [9]aneS3 is the neutral face-capping ligand 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, chel is a neutral or anonic chelating ligand, L = Cl(-) or dmso-S, n = 0-2) was extended to 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ([9]aneN3). In addition, new neutral N-N, and anionic N-O and O-O chelating ligands, i.e. dach (trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane), pic(-) (picolinate), and acac(-) (acetylacetonate), were investigated in combination with both [9]aneS3 and [9]aneN3. Overall, ten new half-sandwich complexes were prepared and fully characterized and their chemical behaviour in aqueous solution was established. The single-crystal X-ray structures of eight of them, including the versatile precursor [Ru([9]aneN3)(dmso-S)(2)Cl]Cl (9), were also determined. The results of in vitro antiproliferative tests performed on selected compounds against MDA-MB-231 human mammary carcinoma cells confirmed that, in this series, only compounds that hydrolyse the monodentate ligand at a reasonable rate show moderate activity, provided that the chelate ligand is a hydrogen bond donor.     

Antibacterial activity of a new class of tris homoleptic Ru (II)-complexes with alkyl-tetrazoles as diimine-type ligands

Herein, we describe a new family of tris chelate homoleptic Ru (II) complexes, [Ru(N^N) ₃ ] ²⁺ , where the role of the diimine-type ligands (N^N) was fulfilled by 2-pyridyl (PTZ) or 2-quinolyl tetrazole (QTZ) derivatives decorated with various alkyl substituents at the N-2 position of the tetrazole ring. The new Ru (II) complexes with general formula [Ru (PTZ-R) ₃ ] ²⁺ and [Ru (QTZ-R) ₃ ] ²⁺ , were obtained as mixtures of facial (fac) and meridional (mer) isomers, as suggested by NMR (¹H, ¹³C) experiments, and confirmed in the case of mer-[Ru (QTZ-Me) ₃ ] ²⁺ , by X-ray crystallography. The photophysical behavior of the tetrazole-based [Ru(N^N) ₃ ] ²⁺ type species was investigated by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, providing trends typical of polypyridyl Ru (II) complexes. The new homoleptic complexes fac/mer- [Ru (PTZ-R) ₃ ] ²⁺ and fac/mer- [Ru (QTZ-R) ₃ ] ²⁺ have been assessed for any eventual antimicrobial activity towards two different bacteria such as Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Deinococcus radiodurans. Whereas being inactive toward E. coli, the response of agar disks diffusion tests suggested that some of the new fac/mer Ru (II) complexes could inhibit the growth of D. radiodurans. This effect was further investigated by determining the growth kinetics in liquid medium of D. radiodurans exposed to the fac/mer- [Ru (PTZ-R) ₃ ] ²⁺ and fac/mer- [Ru (QTZ-R) ₃ ] ²⁺ complexes at different concentrations. The outcome of these experiments highlighted that the turn-on of the growth inhibitory effect took place as the linear hexyl chain was appended to the PTZ or QTZ scaffold, suggesting also how the inhibitory activity appeared more pronouncedly exerted by the facial isomers fac- [Ru (PTZ-Hex) ₃ ] ²⁺ and fac- [Ru (QTZ-Hex) ₃ ] ²⁺ (MIC = ca. 3.0 μg/ml) with respect to the corresponding meridional isomers (MIC = ca. 6.0 μg/ml).     

A strategy for improving the room-temperature luminescence properties of Ru(II) complexes with tridentate ligands

Several ruthenium(II) complexes with new tridentate polypyridine ligands have been prepared, and their photophysical properties have been studied. The new tridentate ligands are tpy-modified systems (tpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) in which aromatic substituents designed to be coplanar with the tpy moiety are introduced, with the aim of enhancing delocalization in the acceptor ligand of the potentially luminescent metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) state and increasing the MLCT-MC energy gap (MC = metal-centered excited state). Indeed, the Ru(II) complexes obtained with this new family of tridentate ligands exhibit long-lived luminescence at room temperature (up to 200 ns). The enhanced luminescence properties of these complexes support this design strategy and are superior to those of the model Ru(tpy)22+ compound and compare favorably with those of the best Ru(II) complexes with tridentate ligands reported so far.     

Semiempirical calculations of electronic spectra of Ru (II) and Ru (III) compounds in restricted active space CI approximation

Calculations of spectral characteristics of seven Ru(II) and Ru(III) complexes were performed. The excitation energies of the compounds studied in this work are in agreement with experimental data. Some regularities in the structure of excited states were demonstrated. Our results show that the use of the quantum chemical methods in which the reorganization and solvent effects are included explicitly can give reliable information concerning electronic structure and spectra of complex transition-metal compounds. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 63: 853–860, 1997     

Synthesis, anticancer and antibacterial activity of some novel mononuclear Ru(II) complexes

In search of potential anticancer drug candidates in ruthenium complexes, a series of mononuclear ruthenium complexes of the type [Ru(phen)(2)(nmit)]Cl(2) (Ru1), [Ru(bpy)(2)(nmit)]Cl(2) (Ru2), [Ru(phen)(2)(icpl)]Cl(2) (Ru3), Ru(bpy)(2)(icpl)]Cl(2) (Ru4) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline; bpy=2,2'-bipyridine; nmit=N-methyl-isatin-3-thiosemicarbazone, icpl=isatin-3-(4-Cl-phenyl)thiosemicarbazone) and [Ru(phen)(2)(aze)]Cl(2) (Ru5), [Ru(bpy)(2)(aze)]Cl(2) (Ru6) (aze=acetazolamide) and [Ru(phen)(2)(R-tsc)](ClO(4))(2) (R=methyl (Ru7), ethyl (Ru8), cyclohexyl (Ru9), 4-Cl-phenyl (10), 4-Br-phenyl (Ru11), and 4-EtO-phenyl (Ru12), tsc=thiosemicarbazone) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, (1)H-NMR and FAB-MS. Effect of these complexes on the growth of a transplantable murine tumor cell line (Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma) and their antibacterial activity were studied. In cancer study the effect of hematological profile of the tumor hosts have also been studied. In the cancer study, the complexes Ru1-Ru4, Ru10 and Ru11 have remarkably decreased the tumor volume and viable ascitic cell count as indicated by trypan blue dye exclusion test (p<0.05). Treatment with the ruthenium complexes prolonged the lifespan of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice. Tumor inhibition by the ruthenium chelates was followed by improvements in hemoglobin, RBC and WBC values. All the complexes showed antibacterial activity, except Ru5 and Ru6. Thus, the results suggest that these ruthenium complexes have significant antitumor property and antibacterial activity. The results also reflect that the drug does not adversely affect the hematological profiles as compared to that of cisplatin on the host.     

Synthesis,structure and in vitro anticancer activity of ruthenium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with chiral aminophosphine ligands

Transition Metal Chemistry - (R)-[Ru(η6-p-MeC6H4iPr)Cl2{Ph2PNHCH(CH3)(C6H4-4-F)}] (1) and cis-(R,R)-[PtCl2{Ph2PNHCH(CH3)(C6H4-4-F)}2] (2) have been obtained by the reaction of the chiral...     

Tuning photophysical properties with ancillary ligands in Ru(II) mono-diimine complexes

The series of complexes [XRu(CO)(L-L)(L′)₂][PF₆] (X = H, TFA, Cl; L-L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, 1,10-phenanthroline, 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline and 4,4′-dicarboxylic-2,2′-bipyridyl; L′₂ = 2PPh₃, Ph₂PC₂H₄PPh_2, Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂) have been synthesized from the starting complex K[Ru(CO)₃(TFA)₃] (TFA = CF₃CO₂) by first reacting with the phosphine ligand, followed by reaction with the L-L and anion exchange with NaPF₆. In the case of L-L = phenanthroline and L′₂ = 2PPh₃, the neutral complex Ru(Ph₃P)(CO)(1,10-phenanthroline)(TFA)₂ is also obtained and its solid state structure is reported. Solid state structures are also reported for the cationic complexes where L-L = phenanthroline, L₂ = 2PPh₃ and X = Cl and for L-L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, L₂ = 2PPh₃ and X = H. All the complexes were characterized in solution by a combination of ¹H and ³¹P NMR, IR, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. The purpose of the project was to synthesize a series of complexes that exhibit a range of excited-state lifetimes and that have large Stokes shifts, high quantum yields and high intrinsic polarizations associated with their metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) emissions. To a large degree these goals have been realized in that excited-state lifetimes in the range of 100 ns to over 1 μs are observed. The lifetimes are sensitive to both solvent and the presence of oxygen. The measured quantum yields and intrinsic anisotropies are higher than for previously reported Ru(II) complexes. Interestingly, the neutral complex with one phosphine ligand shows no MLCT emission. Under the conditions of synthesis some of the initially formed complexes with X = TFA are converted to the corresponding hydrides or in the presence of chlorinated solvents to the corresponding chlorides, testifying to the lability of the TFA Ligand. The compounds show multiple reduction potentials which are chemically and electrochemically reversible in a few cases as examined by cyclic voltammetry. The relationships between the observed photophysical properties of the complexes and the nature of the ligands on the Ru(II) is discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of ciprofloxacin compounds with cadmium(II) and mercury(II) chlorides

Five new compounds of ciprofloxacin (CfH = C₁₇H₁₈FN₃O₃) with cadmium(II) and mercury(II) chlorides were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, pH-metric titration, UV spectroscopy, and thermal analysis.     

Complexes of (bpy)2Ru(II) and (Ph2bpy)2Ru(II) with a series of thienophenanthroline ligands: synthesis,characterization, and electronic spectra

A series of complexes (bpy)₂LRu(II) and (Ph₂bpy)₂LRu(II), where bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine, Ph₂bpy is 4,4′-diphenyl-2,2′-bipyridine and L is 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), [1]benzothieno[2,3-c][1,10]phenanthroline (btp), naphtho[1′,2′?:?5,4]thieno[2,3-c][1,10]phenanthroline [ntpl, l=linear], and naphtho[1′,2′?:?4,5]thieno[2,3-c][1,10]phenanthroline (ntph, h=helical) were synthesized and characterized using 2D COSY NMR spectra. The UV spectra were assigned to study their metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states. Complexes of (bpy)₂LRu(II) showed identical absorption wavelengths (λ _max) for the MLCT of all four members of the series with the only variation being the intensity (log _ε ) for each. The MLCT of (Ph₂bpy)₂LRu(II) showed the similar behavior only with different wavelengths showing that in this heteroleptic series of complexes the MLCT is exclusively to the bpy ligands with none to thienophenanthroline (btp, ntpl, or ntph).     

Mixed-metal supramolecular complexes coupling phosphine-containing Ru(II) light absorbers to a reactive Pt(II) through polyazine bridging ligands

Supramolecular bimetallic Ru(II)/Pt(II) complexes [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)PtCl(2)](2+) and their synthons [(tpy)Ru(L)(BL)](n)()(+) (where L = Cl(-), CH(3)CN, or PEt(2)Ph; tpy = 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine; and BL = 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpm) or 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp)) have been synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption spectroscopy, mass spectral analysis, and (31)P NMR. The mixed-metal bimetallic complexes couple phosphine-containing Ru chromophores to a reactive Pt site. These complexes show how substitution of the monodentate ligand on the [(tpy)RuCl(BL)](+) synthons can tune the properties of these light absorbers (LA) and incorporate a (31)P NMR tag by addition of the PEt(2)Ph ligand. The redox potentials for the Ru(III/II) couples occur at values greater than 1.00 V versus the Ag/AgCl reference electrode and can be tuned to more positive potentials on going from Cl(-) to CH(3)CN or PEt(2)Ph (E(1/2) = 1.01, 1.55, and 1.56 V, respectively, for BL = bpm). The BL(0/-) couple at -1.03 (bpm) and -1.05 V (dpp) for [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)](2+) shifts dramatically to more positive potentials upon the addition of the PtCl(2) moiety to -0.34 (bpm) and -0.50 V (dpp) for the [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)PtCl(2)](2+) bridged complex. The lowest energy electronic absorption for these complexes is assigned as the Ru(d pi) --> BL(pi*) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition. These MLCT transitions are tuned to higher energy in the monometallic synthons when Cl(-) is replaced by CH(3)CN or PEt(2)Ph (516, 452, and 450 nm, for BL = bpm, respectively) and to lower energy when Pt(II)Cl(2) is coordinated to the bridging ligand (560 and 506 nm for BL = bpm or dpp). This MLCT state displays a broad emission at room temperature for all the dpp systems with the [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(dpp)PtCl(2)](2+) system exhibiting an emission centered at 750 nm with a lifetime of 56 ns. These supramolecular complexes [(tpy)Ru(PEt(2)Ph)(BL)PtCl(2)](2+) represent the covalent linkage of TAG-LA-BL-RM assembly (TAG = NMR active tag, RM = Pt(II) reactive metal).     

Ternary chelates of Zn(II) with some biological active ligands

The mixed-ligand chelates of Zn(II) with aminobutanedioic (aspartic), 2-aminopropanedioic (glutamic), pyridine 2,3-dicarboxylic (quinolinic), pyridine 2,6 dicarboxylic (diplicolinic), mercapto butanedioic (thiomalic) and thiodiacetic (thiodiglycolic), acids have been investigated potentiometrically at 30°C and 0.1 M (NaClO₄) ionic strength. The mixed-ligand chelate is formed by a stepwise equilibria when quinolinic and dipicolinic acids are used as primary ligands. The mixed-ligand chelate formation is occured in aspartic-thiomalic, aspartic-thiodiglycolic, glutamic-thiomalic, glutamic-thiodiglycolic acid systems by simultaneous equilibrium. The high stability of mixed-ligand chelate is explained on the considerations of structural aspects. It is concluded that in the mixed-ligand chelation, the coordination number six of Zn(II) is fulfilled.     

pH-Dependent synthesis of two new lead(II) coordination polymers with 4-aminoantipyrine and 5-nitroisophthalate ligands

Two novel lead(II) coordination polymers with the same mixed ligands, [Pb(AAP)(NIP)] _n (I) and {[Pb(AAP)(NIP)] · 2H₂O} _n (II) (AAP = 4-aminoantipyrine and NIP^2? = 5-nitroisophthalate), were prepared by controlling the pH value of the reaction mixture. Complexes I and II were characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses (CIF files CCDC nos. 936101 (I) and 936102 (II)). Complex I with terminal AAP molecule displays a linear chain with hemidirected Pb²⁺ ions connected by bis-bidentate chelating-NIP^2? anions. By contrast, complex II exhibits a dimeric {Pb₂(AAP)₂}-based coplanar layer extended by bidentate chelating-bidentate chelating and bridging-NIP^2? anions. Obviously, the pH-directed structural difference is dominated by the competitive binding modes of the AAP and carboxylate groups of NIP^2? ligands. Both complexes display different thermal stability due to structural difference and similar emissions originated from the intra- and/or inter-ligand electron transfer, suggesting their potential application as luminescent materials.     

Structural modulation of Cd(II) supramolecular frameworks with a versatile 2,4-dipyridyl-type building block and different dicarboxylate ligands

A series of Cd(II) coordination complexes with an elongated 2,4-dipyridyl-type building block trans-1-(2-pyridyl)-2-(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) and different dicarboxylate ligands have been presented. Generally, bpe shows the unidentate coordination mode and serves as the terminal pendant, whereas the dicarboxylate ligands display various binding fashions to interlink the metal centers to form 1-D comb-like chain, ribbon, and fishbone arrays, as well as 2-D 4⁴ and 4.8² layered networks. Notably, the bpe building block is also involved in secondary interactions such as hydrogen bonding and aromatic stacking to construct the resulting supramolecular architectures. Thermal stability of these complexes has been studied by TG-DTA technique.     

A coordination polymer of cobalt(II)-glutarate: two-dimensional interlocking structure by dicarboxylate ligands with two different conformations

A novel Co-glutarate, Co[O(2)C(CH(2))(3)CO(2)] (1), was synthesized as single crystals by the hydrothermal reaction of CoCl(2) with glutaric acid in the presence of KOH and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, TGA, IR, UV-vis reflectance spectrometry, and SQUID measurements. The dark purple Co-glutarate crystallizes in the monoclinic system in the space group P2/c, with a = 14.002(3) A, b = 4.8064(10) A, c = 9.274(3) A, beta = 90.5(2)degrees, and Z = 4. The Co(2+) centers are tetrahedrally coordinated to four oxygen atoms from the dicarboxylate ligands. The anhydrous-pillared three-dimensional structure consists of infinite Co-CO(2)-Co inorganic layers, which are stacked by the coordinated glutarate alkyl chain along the a-axis. There are two different conformations for glutarate ligands, i.e., the gauche- and the anti-forms. These ligands reside between the inorganic layers alternatively to separate each layer by 7.01 A (gauche) and 6.99 A (anti). Magnetic measurement reveals that the predominant magnetic interactions are antiferromagnetic below 14 K.     

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with amidrazone-based ligands: Structure and catalytic activity

Nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes MeL, where H₂LL = [9-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methyl-3-acetyl-5,7,8-triazanona-3,6,8-trien-2-one], have been synthesized by template reaction of salicylaldehyde acetamidrazone with corresponding Me(acac)₂ and Hacac in the presence of the orthoformic ester at 110°C. The crystal structure of CuL has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The square-planar mode of coordination is realized in CuL. Comparison of geometrical parameters of CuL with those of the corresponding derivative based on S--allylisothiosemicarbazide showed that substitution of the -SR group by methyl in the quadridentate ligand does not affect the mode of binding nor the main interatomic distances and angles in the ligand. The data from magnetic measurements, ¹HH NMR and EI mass spectra indicate that NiL has a similarly structured coordination polyhedron. Epoxidation of norbornene can be performed efficiently with molecular oxygen (1 atm) in THF (or THF-EtOAc) in the presence of CuL at 70°C. The corresponding copper(II) derivatives based on S--substituted isothiosemicarbazides are much less active as catalysts.     

Experimental and theoretical characterization of Ru(II) complexes with polypyridine and phosphine ligands

The synthesis and the experimental and theoretical characterization of ruthenium hydride complexes containing phosphorus and polypyridine ligands [RuH(CO)(N-N)(PPh₃)₂]⁺ with N-N = dppz 1, dppz-CH₃2 (2.1 isomer), dppz-Cl 3 (3.1 isomer), ppl 4, and 2,2′-biquinoline 5, (where dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine), are presented. ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR-FT, UV-Vis and elemental analysis are used to characterize the complexes. Optimized molecular geometries in the gas phase at the B3LYP/LACVP(d,p) level showed a distorted octahedral structure for ruthenium, the phosphine ligands are localized in a trans position, while the polypyridine ligand, which in all the cases is planar except in 5, adopt a trans position relative to the carbon monoxide and hydride ligands. The theoretical absorption spectra (one hundred excited states) were calculated for the seven complexes by the time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) in the gas phase. They predicted very well the UV-Vis spectra. It was possible to identify the character of each electronic transition and the fragments of the complexes involved in it. Theoretical evidence of the substituent effect in the polypyridine ligand and of the ligand effect (dppz, biq, ppl) was found, displayed mainly in the longer wavelength band. The theoretical results showed that the properties of these complexes can be tuned with changes localized in the polypyridine ligand covalently bonded to ruthenium.     

Environmental sensitivity of Ru(II) complexes: the role of the accessory ligands

A suite of Ru(II) complexes in which one ligand is pH responsive and the other two are varied in an effort to achieve improved photophysics has been synthesized and their potential as pH reporters assessed. The more general purpose of the study was to examine the role of the accessory ligands in heteroleptic reporter complexes and the degree to which such ligands can affect the performance of luminescent reporters. For this suite of complexes, judicious choice of the accessory ligand can alter both the pK(a)* and the dynamic range of response. It was found that the emission color and brightness were influenced by pH, but the lifetimes were only weakly affected. Surprisingly, some accessory ligands which should have improved luminescent properties essentially turned off the pH response. Several possible reasons for this observation are explored. It is suggested, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations support, that the relative π* levels of the pH sensitive and the accessory ligands are critical.     

Octahedral Fe(II) and Ru(II) complexes based on a new bis 1,10-phenanthroline ligand that imposes a well defined axis.

A bis-chelating ligand (L1), made of two 7-(p-anisyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (phen) subunits connected with a p-(CH(2))(2)C(6)H(4)(CH(2))(2) spacer through their 4 positions, has been prepared, using Skraup syntheses and reaction of the anion of 4-methyl-7-anisyl-1,10-phenanthroline with alpha,alpha'-dibromo-p-xylene. Its Fe(II) complex, [FeL1(dmbp)](PF(6))(2), was prepared in one step by reaction of L1 with [Fe(dmbp)(3)](PF(6))(2) (dmbp = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine). On the other hand, its Ru(II) complex, [RuL1(dmbp)](PF(6))(2), was prepared in two steps from Ru(CH(3)CN)(4)Cl(2) and L1, followed by reaction with dmbp. X-ray crystal structure analyses show that in the two octahedral complexes, ligand L1 coils around the metal by coordination of the axial and two equatorial positions. It defines a 21 A long axis (O.O distance) running through the central metal and the terminal anisyl substituents. The complexes were also characterized by (1)H NMR, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption, and, in the case of Ru(II), fluorescence spectroscopy.     

New half sandwich-type Ru(II) coordination compounds characterized by the fac-Ru(dmso-S)3 fragment: influence of the face-capping group on the chemical behavior and in vitro anticancer activity

The Ru(II) complex fac-[RuCl(dmso-S)(3)(dmso-O)(2)][PF(6)] (P2) was found to be an excellent precursor for the facile preparation in high yield of half sandwich-type compounds of the general formula fac-[RuCl(dmso-S)(3)(N)(2)][PF(6)] (e.g. (N)(2) = 1,2-diaminoethane (en, 4), trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (dach, 5), or 2 NH(3) (6)). Neutral half sandwich-type compounds of the general formula fac-[RuCl(dmso-S)(3)(N-O)] where N-O is an anionic chelating ligand (e.g. N-O = picolinate (pic, 7)) are best prepared from the universal Ru(II)-dmso precursor cis-[RuCl(2)(dmso)(4)] (P1). These complexes, that were fully characterized in solution and in the solid state, are structurally similar to the anticancer organometallic compounds [Ru(η(6)-arene)(chel)Cl][PF(6)](n) but, in place of a face-capping arene, have the fac-Ru(dmso-S)(3) fragment. In contrast to what observed for the corresponding arene compounds, that rapidly hydrolyze the Cl ligand upon dissolution in water, compounds 4-6 are very stable and inert in aqueous solution. Probably their inertness is the reason why they showed no significant cytotoxicity against the MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line.     

Dicopper(II) complexes of a new di-para-xylyldioxatetraazamacrocycle and cascade species with dicarboxylate anions: thermodynamics and structural properties

The new dioxatetraazamacrocycle (L1) was synthesized by a 2 + 2 condensation and characterized. Stability constants of its copper(II) complexes were determined by spectrophotometry in DMSO at 298.2 K in 0.10 mol dm(-3) KClO4. Mainly dinuclear complexes are formed and the presence of mononuclear species is dependent on the counterion (Cl- or ClO4-). The association constants of the dinuclear copper(II) complexes with dicarboxylate anions [oxalate (oxa(2-)), malonate (mal(2-)), succinate (suc(2-)), and glutarate (glu(2-))] were also determined by spectrophotometry at 298.2 K in DMSO, and it was found that values decrease with an increase of the alkyl chain between the carboxylate groups. X-Band EPR spectra of the dicopper(II) complexes and of their cascade species in frozen DMSO exhibit dipole-dipole coupling, and their simulation, together with their UV-vis spectra, showed that the copper centres of the complexes in solution had square pyramidal geometries though with different distortions. From the experimental data, it was also possible to predict the Cu...Cu distances, the minimum being found at 6.4 angstroms for the Cu2L1Cl4 complex and then successively this distance slightly increases when the chloride anions are replaced by dicarboxylate anions, from 6.6 angstroms for oxa(2-) to 7.8 angstroms for glu(2-). The crystal structures of the dinuclear copper cascade species with oxa(-2) and suc(2-) were determined and showed one anion bridging both copper centres and Cu...Cu distances of 5.485(7) angstroms and 6.442(8) angstroms, respectively.