Electron-transfer kinetics of copper(II/I) tripodal ligand complexes

The electron-transfer kinetics for each of three copper(II/I) tripodal ligand complexes reacting with multiple reducing and oxidizing counter reagents have been examined in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C, mu = 0.10 M. For all of the ligands studied, an amine nitrogen serves as the bridgehead atom. Two of the ligands (PMMEA and PEMEA) contain two thioether sulfurs and one pyridyl nitrogen as donor atoms on the appended legs while the third ligand (BPEMEA) has two pyridyl nitrogens and one thioether sulfur. Very limited kinetic studies were also conducted on two additional closely related tripodal ligand complexes. The results are compared to our previous kinetic study on a Cu(II/I) system involving a tripodal ligand (TMMEA) with thioether sulfur donor atoms on all three legs. In all systems, the Cu(II/I) electron self-exchange rate constants (k(11)) are surprisingly small, ranging approximately 0.03-50 M(-)(1) s(-)(1). The results are consistent with earlier studies reported by Yandell involving the reduction of Cu(II) complexes with four similar tripodal ligand systems, and it is concluded that the dominant reaction pathway involves a metastable Cu(II)L intermediate species (designated as pathway B). Since crystal structures suggest that the ligand reorganization accompanying electron transfer is relatively small compared to our earlier studies on macrocyclic ligand complexes of Cu(II/I), it is unclear why the k(11) values for the tripodal ligand systems are of such small magnitude.     

Reactivity of copper(II)-alkylperoxo complexes

Copper(II) complexes 1a and 1b, supported by tridentate ligand bpa [bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] and tetradentate ligand tpa [tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine], respectively, react with cumene hydroperoxide (CmOOH) in the presence of triethylamine in CH(3)CN to provide the corresponding copper(II) cumylperoxo complexes 2a and 2b, the formation of which has been confirmed by resonance Raman and ESI-MS analyses using (18)O-labeled CmOOH. UV-vis and ESR spectra as well as DFT calculations indicate that 2a has a 5-coordinate square-pyramidal structure involving CmOO(-) at an equatorial position and one solvent molecule at an axial position at low temperature (-90 °C), whereas a 4-coordinate square-planar structure that has lost the axial solvent ligand is predominant at higher temperatures (above 0 °C). Complex 2b, on the other hand, has a typical trigonal bipyramidal structure with the tripodal tetradentate tpa ligand, where the cumylperoxo ligand occupies an axial position. Both cumylperoxo copper(II) complexes 2a and 2b are fairly stable at ambient temperature, but decompose at a higher temperature (60 °C) in CH(3)CN. Detailed product analyses and DFT studies indicate that the self-decomposition involves O-O bond homolytic cleavage of the peroxo moiety; concomitant hydrogen-atom abstraction from the solvent is partially involved. In the presence of 1,4-cyclohexadiene (CHD), the cumylperoxo complexes react smoothly at 30 °C to give benzene as one product. Detailed product analyses and DFT studies indicate that reaction with CHD involves concerted O-O bond homolytic cleavage and hydrogen-atom abstraction from the substrate, with the oxygen atom directly bonded to the copper(II) ion (proximal oxygen) involved in the C-H bond activation step.     

Copper complexes of nitrogen-anchored tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Incorporation of a nitrogen functionality into a tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene ligand system affords the first N-anchored tetradentate tris-carbene ligands TIMEN(R) (R = Me (5a), t-Bu (5b), Bz (5c)). Treatment of the methyl derivatized [H(3)TIMEN(Me)](PF(6))(3) imidazolium salt (H(3)5a) with silver oxide yields the silver complex [(TIMEN(Me))(2)Ag(3)](PF(6))(3) (9), which, in a ligand transfer reaction, reacts with copper(I) bromide to give the trinuclear copper(I) complex [(TIMEN(Me))(2)Cu(3)](PF(6))(3) (10). Deprotonation of the tert-butyl and benzyl derivatives [H(3)TIMEN(t-Bu)](PF(6))(3) and [H(3)TIMEN(Bz)](PF(6))(3) yields the free tris-carbenes TIMEN(t-Bu) (5b) and TIMEN(Bz) (5c), which react readily with copper(I) salts to give mononuclear complexes [(TIMEN(t-Bu))Cu](PF(6)) (11b) and [(TIMEN(Bz))Cu]Br (11c). The solid-state structures of 10, 11b, and 11c were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. While the TIMEN(Me) ligand yields trinuclear complex 10, with both T-shaped three-coordinate and linear two-coordinate copper(I) centers, the TIMEN(t-Bu) and TIMEN(Bz) ligands induce mononuclear complexes 11b and 11c, rendering the cuprous ion in a trigonal planar ligand environment of three carbenoid carbon centers and an additional, weak axial nitrogen interaction. Complexes 11b and 11c exhibit reversible one-electron redox events at half-wave potentials of 110 and -100 mV vs Fc/Fc(+), respectively, indicating sufficient electronic and structural flexibility of both TIMEN(R) ligands (R = t-Bu, Bz) to stabilize copper(I) and copper(II) oxidation states. Accordingly, a copper(II) NHC complex, [(TIMEN(Bz))Cu](OTf)(2) (12), was synthesized. Paramagnetic complex 12 was characterized by elemental analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetization measurements.     

Direct evidence for a geometrically constrained "entatic state" effect on copper(II/I) electron-transfer kinetics as manifested in metastable intermediates

The absolute magnitude of an "entatic" (constrained) state effect has never been quantitatively demonstrated. In the current study, we have examined the electron-transfer kinetics for five closely related copper(II/I) complexes formed with all possible diastereomers of [14]aneS(4) (1,4,8,11-tetrathiacyclotetradecane) in which both ethylene bridges have been replaced by cis- or trans-1,2-cyclohexane. The crystal structures of all five Cu(II) complexes and a representative Cu(I) complex have been established by X-ray diffraction. For each complex, the cross-reaction rate constants have been determined with six different oxidants and reductants in aqueous solution at 25 degrees C, mu = 0.10 M. The value of the electron self-exchange rate constant (k(11)) has then been calculated from each cross reaction rate constant using the Marcus cross relation. All five Cu(II/I) systems show evidence of a dual-pathway square scheme mechanism for which the two individual k(11) values have been evaluated. In combination with similar values previously determined for the parent complex, Cu(II/I)([14]aneS(4)), and corresponding complexes with the two related monocyclohexanediyl derivatives, we now have evaluated a total of 16 self-exchange rate constants which span nearly 6 orders of magnitude for these 8 closely related Cu(II/I) systems. Application of the stability constants for the formation of the corresponding 16 metastable intermediates--as previously determined by rapid-scan cyclic voltammetry--makes it possible to calculate the specific electron self-exchange rate constants representing the reaction of each of the strained intermediate species exchanging electrons with their stable redox partners--the first time that calculations of this type have been possible. All but three of these 16 specific self-exchange rate constants fall within--or very close to--the range of 10(5)-10(6) M(-1) s(-1), values which are characteristic of the most labile Cu(II/I) systems previously reported, including the blue copper proteins. The results of the current investigation provide the first unequivocal demonstration of the efficacy of the entatic state concept as applied to Cu(II/I) systems.     

Thermodynamic and electron-transfer properties of copper(II/I) polyaminothiaether complexes

In electron-transfer reactions, the change in the oxidation states of the reactants is generally accompanied by structural changes, which influence the electron-transfer kinetics. Previous studies on the systems of Cu(II)/(I) complexes involving cyclic tetrathiaether ligands indicated that inversion of coordinated donor atoms is a major geometric change during the overall electron-transfer process. Complex formation and isomerization studies on complexes with the 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane ligand have demonstrated that a necessary condition for conformational change is deprotonation followed by inversion of coordinated N atoms. When one or more nitrogen donor atoms in a ligand are replaced with sulfur, there is a choice of N or S inversion. It has been hypothesized that donor atom inversion (N or S donors) is a major factor that can lead to conformationally limited electron-transfer kinetics of copper systems. In the current study, the thermodynamic properties, electron-transfer kinetics and conformational changes in copper(II)[1,4,8-trithia-11-azacyclotetradecane], copper(II)[1,8-dithia-4,11-diazacyclotetradecane] and copper(II)[1,11,-dithia-4,8-diazacyclotetradecane] were determined in order to determine the effect of inversion of coordinated N atoms on electron-transfer rates as a function of low concentrations of water in an aprotic solvent (acetonitrile). By using controlled amounts of water as a hydrogen ion acceptor, deprotonation of amine nitrogen and nitrogen donor inversion was followed by comparing self-exchange rate constants for reduction and oxidation of the copper complexes. Data on thermodynamic properties and electron-transfer kinetics are presented. Possible conformational changes and kinetic pathways for complexes with ligands having mixed N and S donor sets are presented.     

Copper(I)-dioxygen reactivity of [(L)Cu(I)](+) (L = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine): kinetic/thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies concerning the formation of Cu-O2 and Cu2-O2 adducts as a function of solvent medium and 4-pyridyl ligand substituent variations

The kinetic and thermodynamic behavior of O(2)-binding to Cu(I) complexes can provide fundamental understanding of copper(I)/dioxygen chemistry, which is of interest in chemical and biological systems. Here we report stopped-flow kinetic investigations of the oxygenation reactions of a series of tetradentate copper(I) complexes [(L(R))Cu(I)(MeCN)](+) (1(R), R=H, Me, tBu, MeO, Me(2)N) in propionitrile (EtCN), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and acetone. The syntheses of 4-pyridyl substituted tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands (L(R)) and copper(I) complexes are detailed. Variations of ligand electronic properties are manifested in the electrochemistry of 1(R) and nu(CO) of [(L(R))Cu(I)-CO](+) complexes. The kinetic studies in EtCN and THF show that the O(2)-reactions of 1(R) follow the reaction mechanism established for oxygenation of 1(H) in EtCN (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 9506), involving reversible formation (k(1)/k(-1)) of [(L(R))Cu(II)(O(2-))](+) (2(R)), which further reacts (k(2)/k(-2)) with 1(R) to form the 2:1 Cu(2)O(2) complex [[(L(R))Cu(II)](2)(O(2)(2-))](2+) (3(R)). In EtCN, the rate constants for formation of 2(R) (k(1)) are not dramatically affected by the ligand electronic variations. For R = Me and tBu, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are very similar to those of the parent complex (1(H)); e.g., k(1) is in the range 1.2 x 10(4) to 3.1 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 183 K. With the stronger donors R = MeO and Me(2)N, more significant effects were observed, with the expected increase in thermodynamic stability of resultant 2(R) and 3(R) complexes, and decreased dissociation rates. The modest ligand electronic effects manifested in EtCN are due to the competitive binding of solvent and dioxygen to the copper centers. In THF, a weakly coordinating solvent, the formation rate for 2(H) is much faster (>/=100 times) than that in EtCN, and the thermodynamic stabilities of both the 1:1 (K(1)) and 2:1 (beta = K(1)K(2)) copper-dioxygen species are much higher than those in EtCN (e.g., for 2(H), deltaH(o) (K(1))=-41 kJ mol(-1) in THF versus -29.8 kJ mol(-1) in EtCN; for 3(H), deltaH(o) (beta)=-94 kJ mol(-1) in THF versus -77 kJ mol(-1) in EtCN). In addition, a more significant ligand electronic effect is seen for the oxygenation reactions of 1(MeO) in THF compared to that in EtCN; the thermal stability of superoxo- and peroxocopper complexes are considerably enhanced using L(MeO) compared to L(H). In acetone as solvent, a different reaction mechanism involving dimeric copper(I) species [(L(R))(2)Cu(I)(2)](2+) is proposed for the oxygenation reactions, supported by kinetic analyses, electrical conductivity measurements, and variable-temperature NMR spectroscopic studies. The present study is the first systematic study investigating both solvent medium and ligand electronic effects in reactions forming copper-dioxygen adducts.     

A complete series of copper(II) halide complexes (X = F, Cl, Br, I) with a novel Cu(II)-C(sp3) bond

A complete series of copper(ii) halide complexes [CuX(tptm)](X = F (), Cl (), Br (), I (); tptm = tris(2-pyridylthio)methyl) with a novel Cu(II)-C(sp(3)) bond has been prepared by the reactions of [Cu(tptm)(CH(3)CN)]PF(6)(.PF(6)) with corresponding halide sources of KF or n-Bu(4)NX (X = Cl, Br, I), and the trigonal bipyramidal structures have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography and/or EPR spectroscopy. The iodide complex easily liberates the iodide anion in acetonitrile forming the acetonitrile complex as a result. The EPR spectra of the complexes showed several superhyperfine structures that strongly indicated the presence of spin density on the halide ligands through the Cu-X bond. The results of DFT calculations essentially matched with the X-ray crystallographic and the EPR spectroscopic results. Cyclic voltammetry revealed a quasi-reversible reduction wave for Cu(II)/Cu(I) indicating a trigonal pyramidal coordination for Cu(I) states. A coincidence of the redox potential for all [CuX(tptm)](0/+) processes indicates that the main oxidation site in each complex is the tptm ligand.     

Crystal structure of μ-hydroxo-bis[tris(2–aminoethyl)amine]dicopper(II) perchlorate

A novel, high-symmetry dicopper complex bridged by only a single hydroxo has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The coordination geometry of copper(II) is a strict trigonal bipyramidal of C3 symmetry. The three equivalent amino nitrogen atoms of the ligand form the equatorial plane, while the tripodal nitrogen atom and the hydroxo anion occupy axial positions. The bridging Cu-(OH)-Cu angle of the single hydroxo anion is only 136.5°, which does not agree well with data found in similar compounds. The magnetic–structural relation is discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and spectral studies of mixed copper(II) dipeptide complexes of imidazole and related nitrogen donors

Eight mixed copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(II)(D)(HL)], where D = anion of glycylglycine, glycyl-L-tyrosine or glycyl-L-phenylalanine, and HL = imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, 2-methylimidazole or benzimidazole have been prepared and characterised. The visible and EPR spectral studies of these complexes indicate that they are monomeric having five coordinate square pyramidal geometry (possibly distorted) about Cu(II). The dipeptide behaves as terdentate ligand in these complexes with amino, ionised amide nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen donor atoms approximately tetragonally disposed about Cu(II). The magnetic and bonding parameters obtained by detailed EPR spectral analysis coupled with electronic absorption spectral data suggest that imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, 2-methylimidazole or benzimidazole occupies the fourth position in the tetragonal plane and water molecule occupies an axial position about Cu(II) in solid state and in solution.     

Coinage metal complexes of a boron-substituted soft scorpionate ligand

An improved synthesis of lithium phenyltris(methimazolyl)borate, Li[PhTm(Me)], (methimazole = 1-methylimidazole-2-thione) is described, and the structure of the methanol-solvated [Li(OHMe)4][PhTm(Me)] has been determined. The syntheses and characterization of complexes [M(PhTm(Me))(PR3)] (M = Cu, Ag, Au; R = Et, Ph;) are reported, and the complexes [Cu(PhTm(Me))(PPh3)], [Ag(PhTm(Me))(PEt3)] and [Au(PhTm(Me))(PEt3)] are crystallographically characterized, showing a progression from pseudo-tetrahedral geometry (copper, S3P coordination) to trigonal planar geometry (silver, S2P coordination) to linear geometry (gold, SP coordination). In addition, the copper(I) and silver(I) triphenylphosphine complexes of the adventitiously formed phenylhydrobis(methimazolyl)borate ligand, [M(PhBm(Me))(PPh3)], have been crystallographically characterized, showing both species to have a trigonal planar primary coordination sphere, with a secondary M...H-B interaction. Finally, reaction of copper(II) chloride with Li[PhTm(Me)] results in formation of a compound analyzing as [Cu(II)(PhTm(Me))Cl], although its extreme insolubility and marked instability have precluded its complete characterization. Attempts to prepare this by ultra-slow diffusion of the reactants through solvent blanks has led to isolation of a mixed-valence copper(I/II) methimazolate cluster, [Cu(I)10Cu(II)2(mt)12Cl2] and a copper(I) dimeric complex [Cu2(PhTm(Me))2], indicating that copper(II) ions oxidatively decompose the phenyltris(methimazolyl)borate anion.     

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).     

Physical parameters and electron-transfer kinetics of the copper(II/I) complex with the macrocyclic sexadentate ligand [18]aneS6

The electron-transfer kinetics of the complex formed by copper(II/I) with the sexadentate macrocyclic ligand 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexathiacyclooctadecane ([18]aneS6) have been measured in acetonitrile with a series of three oxidizing agents and three reducing agents. These studies have been supplemented by determinations of the redox potential and the stability constants of the Cu(I)- and Cu(II)([18]aneS6) complexes in both acetonitrile and aqueous solution. The Marcus cross relationship has been applied to the cross-reaction rate constants for the six reactions studied to resolve the electron self-exchange rate constant for the Cu(II/I)([18]aneS6) complex. An average value of k11 = 3 x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) was obtained at 25 degrees C, mu = 0.10 M in acetonitrile. This value is approximately 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the values reported previously for the corresponding Cu(II/I) complexes with the quadridentate and quinquedentate homoleptic homologues having all ethylene bridges, namely, 1,4,7,10-tetrathiacyclododecane ([12]aneS4) and 1,4,7,10,13-pentathiacyclopentadecane ([15]aneS5). This significant difference in reactivity is attributed to the greater rearrangement in the geometry of the inner-coordination sphere that accompanies electron transfer in the Cu(II/I)([18]aneS6) system, wherein two Cu-S bonds are ruptured upon reduction. In contrast to other Cu(II/I) complexes with macrocyclic polythiaethers that have self-exchange rate constants within the same range, no evidence for conformationally gated electron transfer was observed, even in the case of the most rapid oxidation reaction studied.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of an imidazolate-bridged dicopper tris(2-aminoethyl)amine complex

The [Cu(tren)(Im)Cu(tren)](ClO4)3·MeCN complex [tren=tris(2-aminoethyl)amine; Im=imidazolate anion] has been synthesized and characterized spectrally. The X-ray crystal structure analysis reveals that the imidazolate anion serves as a bridge to form a noncentrosymmetric dimeric structure in the complex. The co-ordination geometry about each copper(II) ion is a distorted trigonal bipyramid with three primary amine groups of the tren ligand forming the equatorial plane. The tertiary amine group and the imidazolate anion are in the axial positions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Reaction of copper(II) with ferrocene and 1,1'-dimethylferrocene in aqueous acetonitrile: the copper(II/I) self-exchange rate

The kinetics of the reactions of copper(II) with ferrocene (Fc) and 1,1'-dimethylferrocene (Dmfc) have been studied at 25 degrees C in aqueous acetonitrile (AN) containing 50-97.5 vol % AN. With increasing % AN, the rate constant increases along with the driving-force for the reaction. The results are analyzed in terms of Marcus theory to estimate the Cu(II/I) electron self-exchange rate constant (k11) for the system. Over the solvent range studied, the calculated k11)changes from 1.1 x 10(-9) to 17 x 10(-9) M(-1) s(-1), with an average value of 5 x 10(-9). In addition, the structures of the trifluoromethanesulfonate salts of [Cu(AN)4]+, [Cu(OH2)2(AN)2]2+, and [Cu(AN)4]2+ are reported. It is found that the Cu-NCCH3 bond-length difference between the Cu(I) and Cu(II) oxidation states is only approximately 0.02 A.     

Hydrothermal syntheses,crystal structures,and properties of two-dimensional homo- and heterometallic cyanide-bridged complexes: [Cu2(CN)2(bpym)] and [Fe(bipy)2(CN)4Cu2] (bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine,bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine)

The hydrothermal reaction of K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)], CuCl(2), and 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) resulted in the formation of a 2D cyanide-bridged heterobimetallic Fe(II)-Cu(I) complex, [Fe(bipy)(2)(CN)(4)Cu(2)], 1. Working in the same conditions, but using 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpym) instead of bipy and methanol as solvent, we obtained the homometallic Cu(I) complex [Cu(2)(CN)(2)(bpym)](2), 2. The structure of 1 consists of cyanide-bridged Fe(II)-Cu(I) layers, constructed from alternately fused 6 (Fe(2)Cu(4)) and 10 (Fe(2)Cu(8)) metal-membered centrosymmetric rings, in which copper(I) and iron(II) ions exhibit distorted trigonal planar and octahedral cooordination environments, respectively. The formation of 1 can be explained by assuming that, under high pressure and temperature, iron(III) and copper(II) ions are reduced with the simultaneous and/or subsequent substitution of four cyanide ligands by two bipy molecules in the ferricyanide anions. It is interesting to note that 1 is the first cyanide-bridged heterobimetallic complex prepared by solvothermal methods. The structure of 2 consists of neutral 2D honeycomb layers constructed from fused Cu(6)(CN)(4)(bpym)(2) rings, in which copper(I) atoms exhibit distorted tetrahedral geometry. The isolation of 1 and 2, by using K(3)[Fe(CN)(6)] as starting material, demonstrates that hydrothermal chemistry can be used not only to prepare homometallic materials but also to prepare cyanide-bridged bimetallic materials. The temperature dependence of chi(M)T and M?ssbauer measurements for 1 reveal the existence of a high spin <--> low spin equilibrium involving the Fe(II) ions.     

The PcoC copper resistance protein coordinates Cu(I) via novel S-methionine interactions

The E. coli copper resistance protein PcoC enhances survival of a bacterium under conditions of extreme copper stress. This small protein has no cysteines, but does have an unusual methionine-rich sequence motif, suggesting that methionine ligation may be important in Cu binding. It is shown that PcoC binds both Cu(I) and Cu(II), in addition to binding Hg(II) and Ag(I). Previously crystallographic studies of PcoC had shown that the apo protein adopts a beta-barrel fold typical of that seen for blue-copper electron-transfer proteins. However, in contrast with electron-transfer proteins, where the Cu(I) and Cu(II) structures are nearly identical, X-ray absorption spectra show that the structures of the Cu site in reduced and oxidized PcoC are dramatically different. Cu(II) PcoC has a tetragonal Cu structure in which the Cu is coordinated to O or N ligands, including at least two histidine ligands. Cu(I) PcoC has a trigonal site with two methionine ligands. This is the first well-characterized example of a methionine-rich protein Cu binding site, demonstrating a new type of biological Cu coordination chemistry.     

Copper dioxygen adducts: formation of bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) versus (mu-1,2)Peroxodicopper(II) complexes with small changes in one pyridyl-ligand substituent

The preference for the formation of a particular Cu 2O 2 isomer coming from (ligand)-Cu (I)/O 2 reactivity can be regulated with the steric demands of a TMPA (tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) derived ligand possessing 6-pyridyl substituents on one of the three donor groups of the tripodal tetradentate ligand. When this substituent is an -XHR group (X = N or C) the traditional Cu (I)/O 2 adduct forms a (mu-1,2)peroxodicopper(II) species ( A). However, when the substituent is the slightly bulkier XR 2 moiety {aryl or NR 2 (R not equal H)}, a bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) structure ( C) is favored. The reactivity of one of the bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) species, [{(6tbp)Cu (III)} 2(O (2-)) 2] (2+) ( 7-O 2 ) (6tbp = (6- (t)Bu-phenyl-2-pyridylmethyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), was probed, and for the first time, exogenous toluene or ethylbenzene hydrocarbon oxygenation reactions were observed. Typical monooxygenase chemistry occurred: the benzaldehyde product includes an 18-O atom for toluene/ 7- (1) (8)O 2 reactivity, and a H-atom abstraction by 7-O 2 is apparent from study of its reactions with ArOH substrates, as well as the determination of k H/ k D approximately 7 in the toluene oxygenation (i.e., PhCH 3 vs PhCD 3 substrates). Proposed courses of reaction are presented, including the possible involvement of PhCH 2OO (*) and its subsequent reaction with copper(I) complex, the latter derived from dynamic solution behavior of 7-O 2 . External TMPA ligand exchange for copper in 7-O 2 and O-O bond (re)formation chemistry, along with the ability to protonate 7-O 2 and release of H 2O 2 indicate the presence of an equilibrium between [{(6tbp)Cu (III)} 2(O (2-)) 2] (2+) ( 7-O 2 ) and a (mu-1,2)peroxodicopper(II) form.     

TRANSITION METAL COMPLEXES OF OLIGOTHIOETHER QUINOLYLOXY TERMINATED PODANDS: PART 2. CRYSTAL AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF (1,8-BIS(QUINOLYLOXY)-3,6-DITHIAOCTANE)-COPPER(II) DIPERCHLORATE TRIHYDRATE

Abstract

The synthesis of the new ligand 1,8-bis(quinolyloxy)-3,6-dithiaoctane (1) and the corresponding Cu(II), Cu(I) and Co(II) complexes is reported. The crystal and molecular structure of the copper(II) complex, [Cu(1)](ClO₄)₂.3H₂O, has been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Fddd, with cell data Z = 16, a = 20.326(2), b = 20.879(3) and c = 28.308(4)Å. The structure consists of discrete [Cu(1)]^?2+ cations separated by (structurally disordered) perchlorate anions and three lattice water molecules per cation. The coordination geometry about the copper atom is pseudo-octahedral with the quinoline nitrogen and thioether sulfur atoms at the equatorial positions and the ether oxygen atoms at the axial positions. ¹H NMR line-broadening experiments indicate that electron-transfer self-exchange reactions between the copper(I) and copper(II) complexes of (1) is immeasurably slow on the NMR time-scale. The coordination chemistry of (1) is compared with its oxygen analogue, 1,8-bis(quinolyloxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane.     

Synthesis of an asymmetrical tripodal tetraamine ligand and its five-coordinate copper(II) complex

A simple synthesis has been devised for the tripodal 3,3,4-tetraamine ligand N{(CH2)3NH2}2{(CH2)4NH2} (L). This ligand forms a copper(II) complex, [Cu (LH)Cl2]ClO4 (7), the structure of which has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The cation contains a five-coordinate copper atom, bonded to two chloride ions, the two propylamine groups and the tertiary nitrogen atom of the ligand; the arrangement is a distorted trigonal bipyramid, in which the two primary amine groups occupy the axial positions. The butylamine group of the ligand does not coordinate to copper but is protonated. It is involved in hydrogen bonding to the perchlorate ion. The e.p.r. spectrum of [Cu(dpt)Cl2] is very similar to that of (7), suggesting that it also has a trigonal bipyramidal structure. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Galactose oxidase models: tuning the properties of CuII-phenoxyl radicals

Four tripodal ligands with an N(3)O coordination sphere were synthesized: (2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-nitrobenzyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (LNO(2)H), (2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5- fluorobenzyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (LFH), (2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (LtBuH) and (2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methoxybenzyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (LOMeH). Their square-pyramidal copper(II) complexes, in which the phenol subunit occupies an axial position, were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography and UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy. The phenolate moieties of the copper(II) complexes of LtBuH and LOMeH were electrochemically oxidized to phenoxyl radicals. These complexes are EPR-active (S=1), highly stable (k(decay)=0.008 min(-1) for [Cu(II)(LOMe(.))(CH(3)CN)](2+)) and stoichiometrically oxidise benzyl alcohol. Two additional tripodal ligands providing an N(2)O(2) coordination sphere were also studied: (2-pyridylmethyl)(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-methoxybenzyl)(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5-nitrobenzyl)amine (L'OMeNO(2)H(2)) and (2-pyridylmethyl)bis(2-hydroxy-3-tert-butyl-5- methoxy)benzylamine (L'OMe(2)H(2)). Their copper(II) complexes were isolated as dimers ([Cu(2II)(L'OMe(2))(2)], [Cu(2II)(L'OMeNO(2))(2)]) that are converted to monomers on addition of pyridine. The complexes were investigated by X-ray crystallography and UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy. Their one-electron electrochemical oxidation leads to copper(II)-phenoxyl systems that are less stable than those of the N(3)O complexes. The N(2)O(2) complexes are more reactive than the N(3)O analogues: they aerobically oxidize benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde at a higher rate, as well as ethanol to acetaldehyde (40-80 turnovers).