Preparation and Spectral, Magnetic, and Electrochemical Characterization of a Flexible Phenoxo-Bridged Binuclear Copper(II) Complex

Abstract

The preparation of a pentadentate binucleating ligand, 2,6-bis((salicylideneamino)methyl)-4-methylphenol, is described together with the corresponding pyrazolate-bridged copper(II) complex, Cu2L. Spectroscopic evidence suggests square-planar coordination of the copper ions, and the magnetic data when fitted to the Bleaney-Bowers equation give an exchange coupling (2J) of -457 ± 5 cm-1. The complex has unusual stereochemical flexibility, which enables reactions coupled with reduction to be considered in some detail. The electrochemical reduction of the complex Cu2L has been examined at mercury and platinum electrodes. Two overall one-electron-reduction steps are observed, which appear to be C..