Complexation of Cu2+ by Binucleating Macrocycles Containing the N6 Donor Set

The hexadentate ligands 1,4,7,12,15,18-hexaazacyclododecosane ([2]aneN₆) and 1,4,7,14,17,20-hexaazacyclohexacosane ([26]aneN₆) both form eight complexes with Cu²⁺, three of them being binuclear. The corresponding stability constants have been determined potentiometrically, and the electronic absorption spectra have been obtained from spectrophotometric data. Possible interactions of the Cu²⁺ pairs in the three binuclear complexes have, in addition, been investigated by ESR and and linear -sweep voltammetry (LSV). The binuclear complex of [22]aneN₆ with one addditional OH group is exceptionally stable, ESR-silent, and the results of the LSV-experiments are characteristically different from those of the other binuclear complexes with both ligands. This indicates that [22]aneN₆ forms a very stable hydroxo-bridged binuclear Cu²⁺ complex Cu₂L(OH)³⁺, whereas in the case of [26]andN₆ no bridged Cu²⁺ pair exists.