Copper(I) complexes of 2-(benzen-1-yl)methyleneamino-3-aminomaleonitrile and triphenylphosphine ligands: synthesis,characterization, luminescence and catalytic properties

Some mixed ligand copper(I) complexes of general formula Cu(L)(PPh₃)₃]X (X = Cl (1), ClO₄ (2), BF₄ (3) or PF₆ (4); L = 2-(benzen-1-yl)methyleneamino-3-aminomaleonitrile) were prepared and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of Cu(L)(PPh₃)₃]CIO₄ (2) revealed that the copper atom is four coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Electrochemical studies of complexes 1–4 show quasireversible redox behavior corresponding to the Cu(I)/Cu(II) couple. Room temperature luminescence is observed for all four complexes. These complexes proved to be effective catalysts for the Sonogashira coupling of terminal alkynes with aryl halides at 90 °C.