Synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and reactivity of phenolate-based copper(II) archetypes and modules for magnetic soft materials

A series of metal complexes have been synthesized by the reaction of various substituted terdentate phenolate-based ligands with copper(II), a 3d9 transition metal. These terdentate ligands have the general formula R1-CH2-NH-CH2-R2 where R1 is a phenol ring and R2 is a pyridine ring. These ligands are intended as archetypes for liquid crystals and modules for extended multimetallic systems. Complexes of the general formula [Cu(L tBuI)2] and [Cu(LtBuA)2], where (HLtBuI) = (2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butyl-benzyl-2 pyridylmethyl)imine and (HLtBuA) = (2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butyl-benzyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine, have been prepared and characterized by means of infrared spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, UV-Visible spectroscopy, and cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. Some of the copper(II) complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Copper(II) complexes were found to have a penta-coordinated arrangement as a result of the Jahn-Teller distortion on 3d9 ions. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...