63Cu NMR spectroscopy of copper(I) complexes with various tridentate ligands: CO as a useful 63Cu NMR probe for sharpening 63Cu NMR signals and analyzing the electronic donor effect of a ligand

63Cu NMR spectroscopic studies of copper(I) complexes with various N-donor tridentate ligands are reported. As has been previously reported for most copper(I) complexes, 63Cu NMR signals, when acetonitrile is coordinated to copper(I) complexes of these tridentate ligands, are broad or undetectable. However, when CO is bound to tridentate copper(I) complexes, the 63Cu NMR signals become much sharper and show a large downfield shift compared to those for the corresponding acetonitrile complexes. Temperature dependence of 63Cu NMR signals for these copper(I) complexes show that a quadrupole relaxation process is much more significant to their 63Cu NMR line widths than a ligand exchange process. Therefore, an electronic effect of the copper bound CO makes the 63Cu NMR signal sharp and easily detected. The large downfield shift for the copper(I) carbonyl complex can be explained by a paramagnetic shielding effect induced by the copper bound CO, which amplifies small structural and electronic changes that occur around the copper ion to be easily detected in their 63Cu NMR shifts. This is evidenced by the correlation between the 63Cu NMR shifts for the copper(I) carbonyl complexes and their nu(C[triple bond]O) values. Furthermore, the 63Cu NMR shifts for copper(I) carbonyl complexes with imino-type tridentate ligands show a different correlation line with those for amino-type tridentate ligands. On the other hand, 13C NMR shifts for the copper bound 13CO for these copper(I) carbonyl complexes do not correlate with the nu(C[triple bond]O) values. The X-ray crystal structures of these copper(I) carbonyl complexes do not show any evidence of a significant structural change around the Cu-CO moiety. The findings herein indicate that CO complexation makes 63Cu NMR spectroscopy much more useful for Cu(I) chemistry.     

Solid-state 109Ag CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy of some diammine silver(I) complexes

Solid-state cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR spectra were recorded for the compounds [Ag(NH3)2]2SO4, [Ag(NH3)2]2SeO4 and [Ag(NH3))]NO3, all of which contain the linear or nearly linear two-coordinate [Ag(NH3)2]+ ion. The 109Ag CP/MAS NMR spectra show centrebands and associated spinning sideband manifolds typical for systems with moderately large shielding anisotropy, and splittings due to indirect 1J(109Ag,14N) spin-spin coupling. Spinning sideband analysis was used to determine the 109Ag shielding anisotropy and asymmetry parameters Deltasigma and eta from these spectra, yielding anisotropies in the range 1500-1600 ppm and asymmetry parameters in the range 0-0.3. Spectra were also recorded for 15N and (for the selenate) 77Se. In all cases the number of resonances observed is as expected for the crystallographic asymmetric units. The crystal structure of the selenate is reported for the first time. One-bond (107, 109Ag,15N) coupling constants are found to have magnitudes in the range 60-65 Hz. Density functional calculations of the Ag shielding tensor for model systems yield results that are in good agreement with the experimentally determined shielding parameters, and suggest that in the solid compounds Deltasigma and eta are reduced and increased, respectively, from the values calculated for the free [Ag(NH3)2]+ ion (1920 ppm and 0, respectively), primarily as a result of cation-cation interactions, for which there is evidence from the presence of metal-over-metal stacks of [Ag(NH3)2]+ ions in the solid-state structures of these compounds.     

Solid-state NMR fermi contact and dipolar shifts in organometallic complexes and metalloporphyrins

We have used density functional theory methods to investigate the solid-state "magic-angle" spinning (MAS) NMR and single-crystal NMR/ENDOR spectra of paramagnetic organometallic complexes and metalloporphyrins. The solid-state MAS NMR chemical shifts (including both diamagnetic and hyperfine contributions) are predicted with a slope of 1.007 and an R2 = 0.967, corresponding to a 28 ppm (or 6.3%) error over the entire 442 ppm range. Single-crystal ENDOR hyperfine values, including both isotropic Fermi contact and dipolar couplings, are predicted with a slope of 1.009 and an R2 = 0.998, corresponding to a 0.93 MHz (or 1.2%) error over the entire 78.37 MHz range. In addition, single-crystal NMR shifts (including both hyperfine terms) are predicted with an R2 = 0.961. The ability to compute solid-state MAS NMR and single-crystal NMR/ENDOR data should facilitate the use of these techniques in investigating paramagnetic metal complexes and should be of particular use in studying paramagnetic metalloproteins, where structures are less accurately known.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of actinide organometallic compounds I. Bis(cyclooctatetraene)actinide(IV) complexes

The He(I) photoelectron spectra of the antinocene species Th(cot)₂ and U(cot)₂ (cot = cyclooctatetraene) have been determined. The 5f metal ionization has been detected at the onset of the uranocene spectrum. The low ionization energy region of both spectra is discussed in terms of simple qualitative molecular orbital scheme.     

Copper-63 NMR line width study of the copper(I)-acetonitrile system

The principal focus of this study is the (63)Cu NMR line widths in Cu(I)-acetonitrile (AN) solutions. The variations with the concentrations of Cu(I) salts (trifluoromethanesulfonate and perchlorate), added salts, water, chloride ion, and temperature have been studied. A quantitative analysis shows that the anomalous temperature dependence of the line widths is not due to ion pairing or anion complexation but results primarily from formation of a species with a different coordination number or less symmetrical arrangement of AN ligands than in the normal tetrahedral Cu(AN)(4)(+) ion. Solvent viscosity and ion pairing (with triflate) also are identified as factors having the expected effects on the line widths. The results of earlier studies also are discussed and analyzed by the current model where possible.     

NMR evaluation of the configurational stability of Cu(I) complexes

Association of chiral [CuL2]+ complexes (L = 2-R-phen, 6-R-bpy, and 2-iminopyridine) with TRISPHAT (tris(tetrachlorobenzenediolato)phosphate(V)) anion leads to NMR enantiodifferentiation, which can be used to determine the kinetics of racemization of the complexes.     

Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes of chalcogenide derivatives of the organometallic ligand dppf and the dppa analogue

New Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes were prepared by reaction of [M(NCCH₃)₄][X] (M = Cu or Ag; X = BF₄ or PF₆) with the bidentate chalcogenide ligands Ph₂P(E)NHP(E)Ph₂ (E = S, S₂dppa; E = Se, Se₂dppa), and dpspf (1,1′-bis(diphenylselenophosphoryl)ferrocene). Copper and silver behaved differently. While three molecules of either S₂dppa and Se₂dppa bind to a distorted tetrahedral Cu₄ cluster, with deprotonation of the ligand, 1:2 complexes of the neutral ligands are formed with Ag(I), with a tetrahedral coordination of the metal. The [Cu₄{Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂}₃]⁺ clusters assemble as dimers, held together by weak Se?Se distances interactions. Another dimer was observed for the [Ag(dpspf)]⁺ cation, with two short Ag?Se distances. DFT and MP2 calculations indicated the presence of attracting interactions, reflected in positive Mayer indices (MI). The electrochemistry study of this species showed that both oxidation and reduction took place at silver.     

Rh NMR studies of organometallic rhodium(I) derivatives

Organometallic rhodium(I) derivatives have been studied by ¹⁰³Rh NMR. The chemical shift range extends from 609 ppm ([Rh.cp.cod]) to 2714.7 ppm ([Rh.fod.cod]). These results are supported by ¹³C and ³¹P NMR results, and give information about the bonding in these derivatives. Most of the complexes contain the cycloocta-1,5-diene ligand. For these complexes a linear correlation is observed between δRh and δC (olefinic carbons) (27 points, R = 0.960). For the phosphine derivatives a linear correlation is found between δRh and ¹J(RhP) and, also, between δRh and parameters characterizing the basicity of the phosphine ligand. The correlation of δRh with ligand properties has been extended to a wider range of complexes by using the ‘influence parameters’ defined previously (10 points, R = 0.947). The sensitivity of δRh to steric factors is also proved.     

Multinuclear NMR investigation on organometallic gold(III) pentafluorophenylarylazoimidazole complexes

Reaction of [Au(C₆F₅)(tht)₂Cl](OTf) with RaaiR′ in CH₂Cl₂ medium leads to [Au(C₆F₅)(RaaiR′)Cl](OTf) [RaaiR′ = p-R–C₆H₄–N=N–C₃H₂–NN-1-R′, (1–3), abbreviated as N,N′-chelator, where N(imidazole) and N(azo) represent N and N′, respectively; R = H (a), Me (b), Cl (c) and R′ = Me (1), CH₂CH₃ (2), CH₂Ph (3), tht is tetrahydrothiophen]. The maximum molecular peak of [Au(C₆F₅)(MeaaiMe)Cl] is observed at m/z 599.51 (100 %) in the FAB mass spectrum. Ir spectra of the complexes show –C=N– and –N=N– stretching near at 1590 and 1370 cm⁻¹ and near at 1510, 955, 800 cm⁻¹ due to the presence of pentafluorophenyl ring. The ¹H-NMR spectral measurements suggest methylene, –CH₂–, in RaaiEt gives a complex AB type multiplet while in RaaiCH₂Ph shows AB type quartets. ¹³C-NMR spectrum of complexes confirm the molecular skeleton. In the ¹H-¹H-COSY spectrum as well as contour peaks in the ¹H-¹³C HMQC spectrum for the present complexes, assign the solution structure and stereoretentive conformation. The electrochemistry gives the ligand reduction peaks.     

Solid-state 93Nb and 13C NMR investigations of half-sandwich niobium(I) and niobium(V) cyclopentadienyl complexes

Solid-state 93Nb and 13C NMR experiments, in combination with theoretical calculations of NMR tensors, and single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction experiments, are applied for the comprehensive characterization of structure and dynamics in a series of organometallic niobium complexes. Half-sandwich niobium metallocenes of the forms Cp'Nb(I)(CO)4 and CpNb(V)Cl4 are investigated, where Cp = C5H5- and Cp' = C5H4R- with R = COMe, CO2Me, CO2Et, and COCH2Ph. Anisotropic quadrupolar and chemical shielding (CS) parameters are extracted from 93Nb MAS and static NMR spectra for seven different complexes. It is demonstrated that 93Nb NMR parameters are sensitive to changes in temperature and Cp' ring substitution in the Cp'Nb(I)(CO)4 complexes. There are dramatic differences in the 93Nb quadrupolar coupling constants (C(Q)) between the Nb(I) and Nb(V) complexes, with C(Q) between 1.0 and 12.0 MHz for Cp'Nb(CO)4 and C(Q) = 54.5 MHz for CpNbCl4. The quadrupolar Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill (QCPMG) pulse sequence is applied to rapidly acquire, in a piecewise fashion, a high signal-to-noise ultra-wide-line 93Nb NMR spectrum of CpNbCl4, which has a breadth of ca. 400 kHz. Solid-state 93Nb and 13C NMR spectra and powder XRD data are used to identify a new metallocene adduct coordinated at the axial position of the metal site by a THF molecule: CpNb(V)Cl4.THF. 13C MAS and CP/MAS NMR experiments are used to assess the purity of samples, as well as for measuring carbon CS tensors and the rare instance of one-bond 93Nb, 13C J-coupling, 1J(93Nb,13C). Theoretically calculated CS and electric field gradient (EFG) tensors are utilized to determine relationships between tensor orientations, the principal components, and molecular structures.     

Solid-state NMR of endohedral hydrogen-fullerene complexes

We present an overview of solid-state NMR studies of endohedral H(2)-fullerene complexes, including (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra, (1)H and (13)C spin relaxation studies, and the results of (1)H dipole-dipole recoupling experiments. The available data involves three different endohedral H(2)-fullerene complexes, studied over a wide range of temperatures and applied magnetic fields. The symmetry of the cage influences strongly the motionally-averaged nuclear spin interactions of the endohedral H(2) species, as well as its spin relaxation behaviour. In addition, the non-bonding interactions between fullerene cages are influenced by the presence of endohedral hydrogen molecules. The review also presents several pieces of experimental data which are not yet understood, one example being the structured (1)H NMR lineshapes of endohedral H(2) molecules trapped in highly symmetric cages at cryogenic temperatures. This review demonstrates the richness of NMR phenomena displayed by H(2)-fullerene complexes, especially in the cryogenic regime.     

Multinuclear copper(I) guanidinate complexes

A series of multinuclear Copper(I) guanidinate complexes have been synthesized in a succession of reactions between CuCl and the lithium guanidinate systems Li{L} (L = Me(2)NC((i)PrN)(2) (1a), Me(2)NC(CyN)(2) (1b), Me(2)NC((t)BuN)(2)(1c), and Me(2)NC(DipN)(2) (2d) ((i)Pr = iso-propyl, Cy = cyclohexyl, (t)Bu = tert-butyl, and Dip = 2,6-disopropylphenyl) made in situ, and structurally characterized. The di-copper guanidinates systems with the general formula [Cu(2){L}(2)] (L = {Me(2)NC((i)PrN)(2)} (2a), {Me(2)NC(CyN)(2)} (2b), and {Me(2)NC(DipN)(2)} (2d) differed significantly from related amidinate complexes because of a large torsion of the dimer ring, which in turn is a result of transannular repulsion between adjacent guanidinate substituents. Attempts to synthesis the tert-butyl derivative [Cu(2){Me(2)NC((t)BuN)(2)}(2)] result in the separate formation and isolation of the tri-copper complexes [Cu(3){Me(2)NC((t)BuN)(2)}(2)(μ-NMe(2))] (3c) and [Cu(3){Me(2)NC((t)BuN)(2)}(2)(μ-Cl)] (4c), both of which have been unambiguously characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Closer inspection of the solution state behavior of the lithium salt 1c reveals a previously unobserved equilibrium between 1c and its starting materials, LiNMe(2) and N,N'-di-tert-butyl-carbodiimide, for which activation enthalpy and entropy values of ΔH(?) = 48.2 ± 18 kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(?) = 70.6 ± 6 J/K mol have been calculated using 1D-EXSY NMR spectroscopy to establish temperature dependent rates of exchange between the species in solution. The molecular structures of the lithium complexes 1c and 1d have also been determined and shown to form tetrameric and dimeric complexes respectively held together by Li-N and agostic Li···H-C interactions. The thermal chemistry of the copper complexes have also been assessed by thermogravimetric analysis.     

Metal-ligand interplay in blue copper proteins studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy: Cu(II)-pseudoazurin and Cu(II)-rusticyanin

The blue copper proteins (BCPs), pseudoazurin from Achromobacter cycloclastes and rusticyanin from Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, have been investigated by (1)H NMR at a magnetic field of 18.8 T. Hyperfine shifts of the protons belonging to the coordinated ligands have been identified by exchange spectroscopy, including the indirect detection for those resonances that cannot be directly observed (the beta-CH(2) of the Cys ligand, and the NH amide hydrogen bonded to the S(gamma)(Cys) atom). These data reveal that the Cu(II)-Cys interaction in pseudoazurin and rusticyanin is weakened compared to that in classic blue sites (plastocyanin and azurin). This weakening is not induced by a stronger interaction with the axial ligand, as found in stellacyanin, but might be determined by the protein folding around the metal site. The average chemical shift of the beta-CH(2) Cys ligand in all BCPs can be correlated to geometric factors of the metal site (the Cu-S(gamma)(Cys) distance and the angle between the CuN(His)N(His) plane and the Cu-S(gamma)(Cys) vector). It is concluded that the degree of tetragonal distortion is not necessarily related to the strength of the Cu(II)-S(gamma)(Cys) bond. The copper-His interaction is similar in all BCPs, even for the solvent-exposed His ligand. It is proposed that the copper xy magnetic axes in blue sites are determined by subtle geometrical differences, particularly the orientation of the His ligands. Finally, the observed chemical shifts for beta-CH(2) Cys and Ser NH protons in rusticyanin suggest that a less negative charge at the sulfur atom could contribute to the high redox potential (680 mV) of this protein.     

Dinuclear copper(I) and copper(I)/silver(I) complexes with condensed dithiolato ligands

The Cu(III) complex Pr 4N[Cu{S 2C=( t-Bu-fy)} 2] ( 1) ( t-Bu-fy = 2,7-di- tert-butylfluoren-9-ylidene) reacts with [Cu(PR 3) 4]ClO 4 in 1:1 molar ratio in MeCN to give the dinuclear complexes [Cu 2{[SC=( t-Bu-fy)] 2S}(PR 3) n ] [ n = 2, R = Ph ( 2a); n = 3, R = To ( 3b); To = p-tolyl]. The analogue of 2a with R = To ( 2b) can be obtained from the reaction of 3b with 1/8 equiv of S 8. Compound 2b establishes a thioketene-exchange equilibrium in solution leading to the formation of [Cu 4{S 2C=( t-Bu-fy)} 2(PTo 3) 4] ( 4b) and [Cu 2{[SC=( t-Bu-fy)] 3S}(PTo 3) 2] ( 5b). Solid mixtures of 4b and 5b in varying proportions can be obtained when the precipitation of 2b is attempted using MeCN. The reactions of 1 with AgClO 4 and PPh 3, PTo 3 or PCy 3 in 1:1:4 molar ratio in MeCN afford the heterodinuclear complexes [AgCu{[SC=( t-Bu-fy)] 2S}(PR 3) 3] [R = Ph ( 6a), To ( 6b), Cy ( 6c)]. Complex 6c dissociates PCy 3 in solution to give the bis(phosphine) derivative [AgCu{[SC=( t-Bu-fy)] 2S}(PCy 3) 2] ( 7c), which undergoes the exchange of [M(PCy 3)] (+) units in CD 2Cl 2 solution to give small amounts of [Cu 2{[SC=( t-Bu-fy)] 2S}(PCy 3) 2] ( 2c) and [Ag 2{[SC=( t-Bu-fy)] 2S}(PCy 3) 2] ( 8c). Complexes 6a and b participate in a series of successive equilibria in solution, involving the dissociation of phosphine ligands and the exchange of [M(PCy 3)] (+) units to give 2a or 3b and the corresponding disilver derivatives [Ag 2{[SC=( t-Bu-fy)] 2S}(PR 3) 2] [R = Ph ( 8a), To ( 8b)], followed by thioketene-exchange reactions to give [AgCu{[SC=( t-Bu-fy)] 3S}(PR 3) 2] [R = Ph ( 9a), To ( 9b)]. Complexes 9a and b can be directly prepared from the reactions of 1 with AgClO 4 and PPh 3 or PTo 3 in 1:1:3 molar ratio in THF. The crystal structures of 3b, 6b, 6c, 7c, and 9a have been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies and, in the cases of 7c and 9a, reveal the formation of short Ag...Cu metallophilic contacts of 2.8157(4) and 2.9606(6) A, respectively.     

An experimental and computational NMR study of organometallic nine-membered rings: Trinuclear silver(I) complexes of pyrazolate ligands

This work reports the calculation of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of eight trinuclear Ag(I) complexes of pyrazolate ligands using the relativistic program ZORA. The data from the literature concern exclusively ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F nuclei. For this reason, one of the complexes that is derived from 3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole has been studied anew, and the ¹⁵N and ¹⁰⁹Ag chemical shifts determined for the first time in solution. Solid-state NMR data of this compound have been obtained for some nuclei (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F) but not for others (¹⁴N, ¹⁵N, and ¹⁰⁹Ag).     

Synthesis and properties of Rh(I) and Ir(I) distibine complexes with organometallic co-ligands

The first series of Rh(I) distibine complexes with organometallic co-ligands is described, including the five-coordinate [Rh(cod)(distibine)Cl], the 16-electron planar cations [Rh(cod)(distibine)]BF4 and [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 and the five-coordinate [Rh(CO)(distibine)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2] (distibine=R2Sb(CH2)3SbR2, R=Ph or Me, and o-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2). The corresponding Ir(I) species [Ir(cod)(distibine)]BF4 and [Ir{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 have also been prepared. The complexes have been characterised by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry and microanalysis. The crystal structure of the anion exchanged [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]PF(6).3/4CH2Cl2 is also described. The methyl-substituted distibine complexes are less stable than the complexes of Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2, with C-Sb fission occurring in some of the complexes of the former. The salts [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]PF6 and [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 undergo oxidative addition with Br2 to give the known [RhBr2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]+, while using HCl gives the same hydride complex from both precursors, which is tentatively assigned as [RhHCl2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}]. An unexpected further Rh(III) product from this reaction, trans-[RhCl2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}{PhClSb(CH2)3SbClPh}]Cl, was identified by a crystal structure analysis and represents the first structurally characterised example of a chlorostibine coordinated to a metal. [Rh{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 reacts with CO to give [Rh(CO){Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}2]BF4 initially, and upon further exposure this species undergoes further reversible carbonylation to give a cis-dicarbonyl species thought to be [Rh(CO)2{Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}{kappa1Sb-Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2}]BF4 which converts back to the monocarbonyl complex when the CO atmosphere is replaced with N2.     

Far infrared spectroscopy of complexes of copper(I) halides with phosphine and amine ligands

Far i.r. spectra are reported for 34 adducts of phosphine and amine bases with copper (I) halides in which the copper atom is coordinated to only one terminal halide. CuX stretching frequencies are assigned for all of the chloro complexes and for most of the bromo and iodo complexes. The CuX stretching frequencies have been found to depend primarily on the CuX̵ bond length, and appear to be relatively independent of the nature of the coordinating ligands. Best fit curves to the experimental data correspond to a dependence of ν(CuX) on the inverse nth power of r(CuX), where n is approximately equal to 5. Metal—halogen bond stretching force constants have been calculated for copper(I) and related silver(I) and gold(I) halide complexes assuming that the MX entity behaves as an uncoupled diatomic molecule. The results show that for three-coordinate copper(I) the force constants decrease in the order CuCl>CuBr>CuI and that the same trend is shown for four-coordinate copper(I) complexes, but the differences are considerably smaller than for the three-coordinate case. Analogous trends are found for the two- and three-coordinate gold compounds.     

Tripodal bis(imidazole) thioether copper(I) complexes: mimics of the Cu(M) site of copper hydroxylase enzymes

Tripodal bis(imidazole) thioether ligands, (N-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-2-imidazolyl)2C(OR)C(CH3)2SR' (BIT(OR,SR'); R = H, CH3; R' = CH3, C(CH3)3, C(C6H5)3), have been prepared, offering the same N2S donor atom set as the CuM binding site of the hydroxylase enzymes, dopamine beta hydroxylase and peptidylglycine hydroxylating monooxygenase. Isolable copper(I) complexes of the type [(BIT(OR,SMe))Cu(CO)]PF6 (3a and 3b) are produced in reactions of the respective tripodal ligands 1a (R = H) and 1b (R = Me) with [Cu(CH3CN)4]PF6 in CH2Cl2 under CO (1 atm); the pyramidal structure of 3a has been determined crystallographically. The infrared (IR) nu(CO)'s of 3a and 3b (L = CO) are comparable to those of the Cu(M)-carbonylated enzymes, indicating similar electronic character at the copper centers. The reaction of [(BIT(OH,SMe))Cu(CH3CN)]PF6 (2a) with dioxygen produces [(BIT(O,SOMe))2Cu2(DMF)2](PF6)2 (4), whose X-ray structure revealed the presence of bridging BIT-alkoxo ligands and terminal -SOMe groups. In contrast, oxygenation of 2b (R = Me) affords crystallographically defined [(BIT(OMe,SMe))2Cu2(mu-OH)2](OTf)2 (5), in which the copper centers are oxygenated without accompanying sulfur oxidation. Complex 5 in DMF is transformed into five-coordinate, mononuclear [CuII(BIT(OMe,SMe))(DMF)2](PF6)2 (6). The sterically hindered BIT(OR,SR') ligands 9 and 10 (R' = t-Bu; R = H, Me) and 11 and 12 (R' = CPh3; R = H, Me) were also prepared and examined for copper coordination/oxygenation. Oxygenation of copper(I) complex 13b derived from the BIT(OMe,SBu-t) ligand is slow, relative to 2b, producing a mixture of (BIT(OMe,SBu-t))2Cu2(mu-OH)2-type complexes 14b and 15b in which the -SBu-t group is uncoordinated; one of these complexes (15b) has been ortho-oxygenated on a neighboring aryl group according to the X-ray analysis and characterization of the free ligand. Oxygenation of the copper(I) complex derived from BIT(OMe,SCPh3) ligand 12 produces a novel dinuclear disulfide complex, [(BIT(OMe,S)2Cu2(mu-OH)2](PF6)2 (17), which is structurally characterized. Reactivity studies under anaerobic conditions in the presence of t-BuNC indicate that 17 is the result of copper(I)-induced detritylation followed by oxygenation of a highly reactive copper(I)-thiolate complex.