Syntheses, structures and properties of copper(I) and copper(II) complexes of the ligand N,N'-bis[2'-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N,N'- dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (Me₆trien)

Copper(I) and copper(II) complexes of the ligand N,N'-bis[2'- (dimethylamino) ethyl] -N,N'-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (Me₆trien) were synthesized and structurally characterized. In the solid state the complex cation [Cu(Me₆trien)]⁺ (1) adopts a distorted tetrahedral configuration. Crystallography, EPR measurements, and UV/Vis spectroscopy indicate that the analogous copper(II) complex [Cu(Me₆trien)Cl]⁺ has a square pyramidal geometry in the solid state as well as in solution. The reaction of 1 with dioxygen was investigated in different solvents. No copper dioxygen intermediates could be detected spectrophotometrically during these reactions.