Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of the Cu complex of a tetradentate imidazole-functionalized diazamesocyclic ligand, 1,4-bis(N-1-methylimidazol-2-yl-methyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane

A new potential tetradentate ligand, 1,4-bis(N-1-methylimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane (l), together with its Cu^II complex CulCl]ClO₄ (1), has been reported. The crystal structure of 1, determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis, shows that it is in chiral P2₁2₁2₁ space group. The Cu^II centre is penta-coordinated in square pyramidal geometry and the diazacycloheptane (DACH) ring adopts normal boat configuration. The most striking feature of this complex is the formation of a 3D network bridged through the C-H?Cl hydrogen bonds with the perchlorate anions in the cavities, and stabilized via π-π stacking interactions along the a-direction. The solution behaviour of 1 has been further investigated by UV/Vis and ESR techniques.