Metal Complexes with Macrocyclic Ligands Part XXX. Synthesis and structure of halocuprates of tetraprotonated 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane and its Cu2+ complex

By mixing acidic solutions of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (Cy) with CuX₂ (X = Cl^?, Br^?), either the hexahalocuprates of the tetraprotonated form of the macrocycle ([CyH₄] [CuX₆]) or the tetrahalocuprates of its Cu²⁺ complex ([CuCy] [CuX₄]) are obtained. The structures of the chloro derivatives are established by X-ray diffraction analysis. In [CyH₄] [CuCl₆], the Cu²⁺ is in a tetragonally distorted octahedral geometry with four short and two long Cu? Cl bonds. The tetraprotonated macrocycle is centrosymmetric, and its conformation is exodentate, so that the four ammonium groups are as far as possible from each other to minimize the electrostatic repulsion. In [CuCy] [CuCl₄], the Cu²⁺ ion complexed by the macrocycle is surrounded by four N-atoms in a square-planar arrangement. In addition, the axial positions are occupied by two Cl^? ions of two CuCl units, which act as bridges. The macrocycle is in the trans-III-configuration. The other Cu²⁺ ion is coordinated by four Cl^? ions in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. IR and VIS spectra of the chloro and bromo derivatives are used to discuss the structure of the bromo species.