Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of a pyridine-based pincer ligand

The pincer ligands 2,6-H₃C₅N(CH₂NR₂)₂, L^R, have been studied in their reaction towards CuCl₂ and CuCl. For CuCl₂, the case R=Et gives square-pyramidal (η³-L^Et)CuCl₂ with an apical Cu---Cl distance 0.27 Å longer than the equatorial one. For R=ⁱPr, the chloride-loss product (η³-LⁱPr)CuCl⁺ is established as its CuCl₄ ²⁻ salt. The mer geometry of the ligand in these two compounds is intolerable for Cu(I), and a ligand-redistribution product from CuCl is (η²-L^Me)₂Cu⁺, together with linear CuCl₂ ⁻. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of monomeric (L^Me)Cu(I)L^q with L=MeCN, C₂H₄ or Cl⁻ show a distinct tendency for one or both NMe₂ arms to dissociate from Cu(I), while the Cu(II) analogs adopt planar geometry.