Synthesis, structures, electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of two novel copper(II) complexes constructed with aromatic polycarboxylates and dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline

Two novel coordination polymers [Cu₃(1,3-BDC)₄(Dpq)₂] (1) and [Cu₂(BTC)(OH)(Dpq)₂] · H₂O (2), have been hydrothermally synthesized by self-assembly of aromatic polycarboxylate ligands 1,3-H₂BDC (1,3-H₂BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate) or H₃BTC (H₃BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate), chelating ligand Dpq (Dpq = dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline), and copper chloride. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that each trinuclear Cu^II cluster is bridged by two coordination modes of 1,3-BDC ligands to form one-dimensional (1-D) chain structure in complex 1. Complex 2 possesses a two-dimensional (2-D) layer network composed of dinuclear [Cu₂(OH)(Dpq)₂] unit and bridging ligand BTC. The adjacent chains for 1 or the adjacent layers for 2 are further linked by π-π stacking interactions to form the three-dimensional (3-D) supramolecular frameworks. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of the two copper(II) complexes bulk-modified carbon paste electrodes (Cu-CPEs: 1-CPE and 2-CPE) have been studied, and the results indicate that both Cu-CPEs give one-electron quasi-reversible redox waves in potential range of 600 to −400 mV due to the metal copper ion Cu(II)/Cu(I). The Cu-CPEs have good electrocatalytic activities toward the reduction of nitrite and bromate in 0.1 M pH 2 phosphates buffer solution, and have remarkable long term stability and especially good surface renewability by simple mechanical polishing in the event of surface fouling, which is important for practical application.