Potentiometric study of the formation of hydroxo complexes of [Cu(terpy)]2+. Synthesis and crystal structure of [Cu(terpy) (H2O)](CF3SO3)2

Two complexes of formula Cu(terpy)(H₂O)](CF₃SO₃)₂ (1) and Cu(terpy)(OH)]BPh₄ (2) (terpy=2,2′∶6′,2″-terpyridine and BPh₄=tetraphenylborate anion) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. The x-ray crystal structure of (1) has been determined by x-ray diffraction. The structure is made up of Cu(terpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ mononuclear cations plus semi-coordinated CF₃SO₃ ⁻ anions. The coordination geometry around the copper atom is approximately elongated tetragonal octahedral. The oxygen atom of water and the three nitrogen atoms of terpy occupy the equatorial sites whereas the apical ones are filled by trifluoromethanesulphonate oxygen atoms. The formation of hydroxo complexes of Cu(terpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ has been investigated by potentiometry in aqueous solutions and the constants of the Equilibria (1) and (2)